Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

elephant's ears 'Purpurea'

'Purpurea' is a perennial forming a clump of large, rounded deep green leaves, purplish in winter. Bright magenta-pink flowers in erect clusters on red stems to 50cm in height

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Pink Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Purple
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Saxifragaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

Bergenia are evergreen rhizomatous perennials with leathery, rounded leaves and dense, erect clusters of bell-shaped pink or white flowers in spring

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows well in most humus-rich soils but dislikes extremes of heat and drought. Frosts may damage early flowers. See Bergenia cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or root rhizomes sections in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Remove faded flower spikes

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil and slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to a leaf spot

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.