Bergenia As Ground Cover Planting in Downtown Indianapolis

Heart-leaved bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia) is a clump-forming perennial indigenous to Russia (USDA hardiness zones 3-9). It has been coined the name “pig squeak” because of the noise produced by rubbing a leaf between your thumb and finger.

Bergenias are planted most effectively enmasse as a ground cover. They spread slowly by rhizomes and tends to seed-in readily. Over the years bergenia tends to naturalize in moist rich soil.

Its rosette growing habit is similar to a strawberry or an African violet plant. Round heart-shaped leaves are thick, glossy and dark green; leaves measure to 8 to 10 inches across. Plants are 12 to 15 inches high and wide in spread. Foliage often takes purplish-bronze tint over a cold winter. In the warm South foliage is evergreen but may become ratty and torn up in northerly zone 6 and colder.

Small showy pink or white flowers (depending on cultivar) emerge within or above the foliage on thick stalks up to 16 inches tall in April or May, depending where you garden.Promptly remove spent flowering stems if you do not want bergenias to multiply by seed.

Bergenia grows in average well-drained soil in part to full shade. It prefers moist, compost-rich ground. Fertilize bergenias in early spring as new growth starts. Mulching is highly beneficial as well as irrigation in dry shade. Prune off all damaged foliage by late winter before new growth and flowering begin.

This shade loving perennial excels as a ground cover in woodland gardens; utilize in dabbled sunny areas in flower beds, rock gardens, or as edging along pathways. The high gloss foliage is frequently utilized in floral arrangements. No serious insect or disease problems bother bergenias. Rabbits and deer stay away from bergenia.

Leading Cultivars:

‘Apple Blossom’ – large pale pink flowers on red stems that rise above glossy green leaves.

‘Bressingham White’ – flowers open pink but age to white; burgundy fall foliage.

‘Winterglut’ (‘Winter Glow’) – reddish-pink spring flowers; dark green summer leaves finish mottled red and orange in fall.

‘Flirt’ – a new compact hybrid form with dark green (almost black) glossy foliage; large deep pink blooms on short stems.

New Bergenia ‘Flirt’ from Terra Nova Nurseries