7 bergenias with beautiful winter colours

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Bartok’: large leaves transitioning from green to burgundy

‘Bartok’ loves vibrant colours. In spring, between April and May, it reveals an abundance of flowers gathered in clusters, a bright and fresh pink. This colour is perfectly highlighted by the bright green, evergreen foliage that lasts all year round, as with all bergenias.

Its leaves are particularly large, about 25 cm wide. From the first frosts, they change to an incredible shiny burgundy colour, brightening the cold season. They offer a vertical habit that reaches for the light, like lovely plant sails.

Use its small creeping silhouette (30 cm in height and 40 cm in spread) as groundcover in the foreground of a border or to enhance the base of a deciduous tree.

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Bartok’ (photo by Maya Dumat)

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Flirt’: a compact variety with dark foliage

‘Flirt’ is a dwarf pink bergenia with a compact silhouette not exceeding 30 cm in all directions. It is thus ideal for creating a beautiful flowering pot with autumn colours, for the terrace, balcony, or a windowsill.

The abundant spring flowering occurs between March and April, revealing lovely bright pink flowers, cheerfully announcing the return of fine weather. They appear atop red, slightly villous flower stems.

Its small leaves, decorative all year round, are initially bright green in spring and summer. Once autumn arrives and under the effect of cold, they then reveal purplish, almost black hues. This dark foliage does not go unnoticed at a time when vegetation is sparse.

Hardy and resilient, like other bergenias, it will retain this beautiful coloured foliage even under snow.

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Flirt’ (photo Guido)

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Pink Dragonfly’: fine and flamboyant leaves

The bergenia ‘Pink Dragonfly’ boasts many qualities. It has the advantage of flowering for the first time in spring, between March and April, and often again in summer if the soil remains sufficiently moist. Its clusters of flowers reveal a fresh pink that becomes more vivid and darker at the centre, creating a beautiful gradient.

Its glossy, rather narrow leaves take on a lovely autumn colour. Green with red veins when young, they later adorn themselves with vibrant plum and red hues.

This compact variety, reaching a maximum height of 40 cm and a spread of 30 cm, will easily fit into borders or charmingly dress the base of potted bushes.

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Pink Dragonfly’

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Eden's Dark Margin’: one of the most colourful all year round

The heartleaf bergenia ‘Eden’s Dark Margin’ is certainly one of the most colourful. Its leathery, glossy leaves have a slightly wrinkled appearance. They display a dark green with a purple edge, which is likely the origin of its name referring to its dark margins. However, as autumn arrives, the foliage transforms, taking on shades of purple and chocolate brown. It is worth noting that winter cold and poor soils tend to enhance the intensity of these colourful hues.

In terms of flowering, this bergenia rewards us with beautiful clusters of flowers that create a lovely harmony with the foliage. They are adorned with pretty shades of pink, magenta, and red.

This groundcover of modest dimensions (40 cm in height and 60 cm in spread) will be wonderful all year round in rockeries or as a border to define a pathway.

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Eden’s Dark Margin’

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Winterglut’: a foliage that ignites

‘Winterglut’, or ‘Winter glow’ in English, perfectly embodies its name, which means “winter ember” or “winter glow.” The young foliage is initially light green. It then takes on vibrant colours in autumn and winter, becoming a beautiful bright red.

The spring flowering, sometimes a bit later than other bergenias (up to June), offers a new colourful display of intense magenta pink, almost red.

This groundcover perennial does not exceed 45 cm in all directions. Its colours will brighten up neglected areas of the garden all year round, even in partial shade or full shade.

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Winterglut’

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Eden's Magic Giant’: metallic reflections

The bergenia cordifolia ‘Eden’s Magic Giant’ impresses primarily with its size, significantly larger than that of its peers. It reaches approximately 75 cm in all directions at maturity during flowering.

Its leaves are also more substantial and do not go unnoticed: initially green, they turn purple with brilliant metallic reflections as autumn arrives, then become more red in winter due to the cold.

Flowering then takes over in spring. It reveals, atop tall red stems, bell-shaped flowers in various shades of pink, from the softest to the most vibrant. The flowers are also larger than those of other bergenias and have a slightly frizzy appearance.

‘Eden’s Magic Giant’ makes an excellent groundcover, forming a dense and colourful carpet even in the most challenging areas of the garden.

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Eden’s Magic Giant’

Bergenia ‘Bressingham Ruby’: a red autumn gem

This bergenia also bears a name that references its sparkling colour. ‘Bressingham Ruby’ indeed offers foliage that turns a very intense and shiny red-purple in winter. The colour deepens further under the influence of the cold.

The dark pink flowering also leans towards red. It occurs in spring, between April and May. At this time, the flowers are perfectly highlighted by a backdrop of large, leathery, glossy leaves.

Robust and undemanding, this bergenia will dress and brighten the garden in all seasons. Just be sure to protect its beautiful foliage from the scorching rays of the sun.

Bergenia ‘Bressingham Ruby’