Bergenia: the 6 most beautiful varieties

Bergenia ‘Jelle’: a beautiful contrast of colours

‘Jelle’ is a recent hybrid variety of bergenia that retains the hardiness and ease of cultivation of its parents.

It is particularly interesting for its flowering. In mid-spring, between April and May, our bergenia is adorned with adorable flowers clustered in clusters. The petals are immaculate white, with a light green centre. They appear atop beautiful contrasting red stems, standing well above the foliage.

The leaves are slightly undulate and dentate, heart-shaped. They offer a bright, vibrant green that remains luminous and durable throughout the year.

This slow-growing perennial groundcover will over the years form beautiful colonies to elegantly vegetate cool rockeries, light woodlands, or garden borders. Its small dimensions (35 cm in height and 45 cm in width at maturity) also allow it to be grown in pots or containers.

Like its relatives, this bergenia is easy to cultivate and particularly hardy.

Bergenia ‘Jelle’ (photo Guido)

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Rotblum’: an uncommon vibrant colour

‘Rotblum’ is admired for the bright pink colour of its flowers, which almost lean towards red. They are grouped at the end of red stems about thirty centimetres long, from which they gracefully droop. The flowers also have the advantage of being slightly fragrant, which is quite rare among bergenias.

A variety that vibrantly and cheerfully heralds the arrival of spring! Indeed, it is between March and April that ‘Rotblum’ reveals its colourful blooms, beautifully complemented by its leathery, glossy foliage, which is ornamental in all seasons. The leaves are heart-shaped and quite substantial, with some reaching up to 25 cm long and 20 cm wide. They exhibit a stunning evolving colour that is hard to tire of. Initially light green with purplish hues, the foliage then turns bronze-purple with the onset of the first winter chills.

Utilise the creeping yet compact silhouette (40 cm in all directions) of this bergenia as groundcover, to dress the base of a deciduous bush or even in a container, on a windowsill that is not exposed to the scorching rays of the sun.

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Rotblum’

Bergenia ‘Morgenrote’: a repeat flowering pink bloom

The pink bergenia ‘Morgenrote’ is remarkable for its repeat flowering, which can occur twice a year. It is first in early spring, between March and April, that our bergenia reveals its first bells of a lovely fresh pink. If the soil and climate remain cool (moist), a new flowering will take place at the end of the season, between May and June.

The flowers bloom atop well-vertical stems of a lovely red, raised above the foliage. Dense, leathery and evergreen, the latter is formed of small, shiny cabbage-like leaves with slightly crinkled edges, grouped in rosettes. They do not exceed 15 cm in diameter. This old variety is a classic, robust and hardy, which can be grown both in open ground and in pots.

Its small silhouette (30 cm in height and 50 cm in maximum spread) will fit well on the terrace or balcony in a sheltered spot, at the foot of a potted bush or along a pathway.

Bergenia ‘Morgenrote’

Bergenia ‘Spring Fling’: a stunning autumn foliage

‘Spring Fling’ is a pink bergenia that certainly has character. It is primarily its flowering that enchants us. Quite late, it can occur between April and June. The plant then reveals an abundance of bright, intense pink flowers, standing tall above the contrasting foliage. This variety almost has a hint of azalea about it!

The foliage is equally impressive and ensures a decorative and vibrant effect in the garden. The oblong leaves are green in spring and summer. In autumn and throughout winter, enhanced by the cold, they take on satin chocolate-purple hues. A marvel for bringing life to the cold season!

A robust perennial plant that requires almost no maintenance, it will form a beautiful groundcover carpet to prevent the development of adventive plants (“weeds”), even in challenging areas of the garden that lack light.

This variety is slightly taller than most bergenias, reaching about 70 cm in height at maturity.

Bergenia ‘Spring Fling’

Bergenia ‘Bressingham White’: a refined late flowering

‘Bressingham White’ offers a very bright flowering, revealing petals of immaculate white, simply accented by a delicate purplish centre. Sepals of a pinkish-green add an extra touch of colour. Flowers appear late in the spring, between May and June, at the tips of upright stems coloured a light brown.

Its clusters of flowers contrast beautifully with the dark green foliage with lighter veins, glossy and leathery as seen in all bergenias. Even under snow, which will form a protective layer, the foliage will retain all its ornamental qualities.

Its silhouette reaches 30 cm in height and 50 cm in spread at maturity. This bright groundcover will dress areas of the garden that are lightly sunny, semi-shaded, or shaded.

Bergenia ‘Bressingham White’

Bergenia ‘Dragonfly Sakura’: double flowers in shades of pink

Bergenia ‘Dragonfly Sakura’ is a modern cultivar that is full of colour. Between March and April, it is covered with a multitude of clusters of bright flowers, in a range of pinks combining vibrant pink and pale pink. The flowers are double or semi-double, featuring multiple petals that further enhance the floral mass effect. An adorable variety reminiscent of a Japanese cherry blossom tree!

In terms of colour, the foliage also has its say. Initially bright green, it takes on purplish hues in autumn, before turning a deep reddish-purple, almost black under the influence of winter’s cold. The cold and basic growing conditions further accentuate these colours.

This small-format bergenia barely exceeds 30 cm in all directions within a few years and maintains a compact habit, perfectly suited for smaller spaces.

Bergenia ‘Dragonfly Sakura’