Bergenia, Elephant's Ears: Planting, Growing and Care Guide

Description and botany

The genus Bergenia or Bergenie comprises about 8 species of evergreen, rhizomatous perennial plants from the Saxifragaceae family. The Bergenia, also known as “elephant’s ears”, is native to rocky heathlands and cool woodlands of Central and Eastern Asia, particularly the Altai Mountains in Siberia. In the wild, it only grows in regions with snowy winters.

Bergenia cordifolia, a highly resilient and hardy species, is the most common in our gardens and has given rise to most cultivars and hybrids such as ‘Bressingham White’ or ‘Abendglut’.

Bergenia crassifolia has large, leathery leaves, while Bergenia purpurascens is spectacular with its reddish stems.

This herbaceous perennial has a spreading habit, forming dense, creeping clumps that create a thick mat approximately 20 cm tall and up to 70 cm wide at maturity, with relatively slow growth. It develops gradually as ground cover without becoming invasive.

With its short, thick creeping rhizome, this plant spreads steadily, eventually forming beautiful flowering colonies over time.

Bergenia is highly valued for its lush green foliage that turns red in cold weather. It regenerates in spring. The short stems bear rosettes of tough, evergreen leaves that are shiny, oval, round or heart-shaped at the base, with crinkled or slightly wavy edges. Borne on sheathing petioles, they expand into large, entire leaves measuring 7 to 25 cm long and wide, sometimes nicknamed “pig’s ears” or “elephant’s ears”. While most are smooth, some like Bergenia ciliata have hairy leaves covered in fine hairs.

From left to right: Bergenia ‘Baby Doll’, foliage of Bergenia ‘Abendglut’, Bergenia ‘Morgenrote’.

With vibrant green to dark green upper surfaces, this foliage sometimes features reddish veins and often has a purple-red underside. Lush and green for much of the year, the leaves turn purple-red in autumn and winter, ranging from beetroot red to bronze.

Bergenia offers a stunning early bloom that is sometimes lightly fragrant. From late winter to early spring, numerous flower spikes emerge well above the foliage. The flower buds, nestled in thick brown-pink or crimson calyxes, are borne on sturdy, hairy stems ranging from light brown to purple-red.

Clustered in dense panicles of pendulous flowers at the ends of branched stems, they straighten as they bloom. They open into clouds of small bell-shaped flowers with five petals, measuring 1 to 3 cm across, in white, magenta lilac, soft pink to crimson or purple. Some double or semi-double varieties resemble Japanese cherry blossoms. They make lovely spring bouquets. Flowering may repeat if summers are cool.

Extremely easy to grow, Bergenia tolerates diverse conditions. It thrives in shade, partial shade or gentle sun in any soil type – poor, chalky or rich – as long as it’s well-drained and moist. Hardy and robust, unfazed by cold or snow, it can withstand extreme temperatures down to -35°C to -45°C.

A flower of Bergenia cordifolia visited by a hoverfly.

It makes excellent ground cover, perfect for slopes, rockeries or beneath deciduous trees and shrubs. Plant in groups, in woodland settings or shrub borders with primroses, spring bulbs, heucheras, Lenten roses, or hostas.

Main species and varieties

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Bergenia cordifolia - Elephant's Ears

This is the best-known Bergenia! Easy to grow, Bergenia cordifolia is very hardy, tolerates all exposures and grows in any soil, preferably moist.

• Flowering time April to June
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Bergenia Bressingham White - Elephant's Ears

A remarkable variety with evergreen leaves, perfect for rockeries or as ground cover.

• Flowering time June, July
• Height at maturity 30 cm

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Bergenia purpurascens - Pigsqueak

Spectacular and very hardy, it bears intense purple-red flowers and boasts lovely evergreen foliage, leathery and dark green with reddish hues in winter.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 30 cm

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Bergenia Wintermarchen - Elephant's Ears

A rare variety with abundant dark vermilion flowering. As good ground cover, it forms a thick carpet of relatively fine leaves for the genus.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Bergenia cordifolia Morgenrote - Elephant's Ears

This Bergenia flowers twice, in March-April then again in May-June, favouring cool summers. If you're looking for a sturdy perennial that's always attractive, look no further than this Bergenia.

• Flowering time April to July
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Bergenia Baby Doll - Elephant's Ears

A perfect new variety for container growing! Its very short flower stems emerge from a dense clump of heart-shaped leaves.

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 25 cm

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Bergenia Dragonfly Series Sakura - Elephant's Ears

This new Bergenia offers dazzling spring flowering, reminiscent of a Japanese cherry tree. A compact variety, truly beautiful and trouble-free!

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 25 cm

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Bergenia Rosenkristall - Elephant's Ears

This new Bergenia, with its early and abundant flowering in fresh light pink, brings much charm to the still-slumbering garden.

• Flowering time March, April
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Bergenia Dragonfly Series Angel Kiss - Elephant's Ears

A reliable, highly floriferous variety adorned with semi-double pale pink flower panicles from May to June. Not to be missed!

• Flowering time May, June
• Height at maturity 30 cm

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Planting

Where to plant Bergenia

Bergenia is a remarkably undemanding plant. It thrives in all regions, except perhaps in Mediterranean climates, which may be too dry in summer. Avoid strong direct sunlight and very dry soils, as these tend to stunt its growth.

Cold, however, does not faze it. Originating from the Himalayas, it retains excellent hardiness and can withstand very low temperatures down to -35°C. This versatile plant tolerates both sea spray and urban pollution in city gardens.

Adaptable, it accepts all exposures and grows in any soil, preferably moist.
When planted in poor soil, the magnificent colours of its foliage—transitioning from green to red and bronze—will be enhanced throughout winter. It thrives best in fresh, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Heat is not an issue as long as the soil remains cool.

It looks most attractive in partial shade, though it will grow well in non-scorching sunlight. Excessive shade hinders flowering, while overly rich soil promotes foliage at the expense of blooms.

Practical, this ground cover suppresses weed growth. It’s the ideal perennial for filling shaded slopes with minimal maintenance.

It can be used in pots, rockeries, borders, or at the base of deciduous shrubs, which will shield it from summer heat. Planted in groups of 3 or 5, it eventually forms vigorous, floriferous clumps.

When to plant Bergenia

Bergenia is best planted in spring (March–April or May) after the last frosts or, in mild climates, from September to November.

How to plant Bergenia

The soil should be well loosened before planting Bergenia. Slow to establish, it rewards patience—once settled after about two years, it offers long-lasting beauty and increasingly generous blooms. It prefers soil that stays cool in summer, especially in its early years (though it tolerates drought better with age), but must be well-drained.

Space plants 30–40 cm apart to allow clumps to spread comfortably. Plan for 5–6 pots per m²—given this perennial’s lush growth, this ensures a striking display.

Consider planting small spring bulbs (Galanthus, Crocus, Chionodoxa, etc.) between Bergenia clumps to fill gaps while they mature.

• Clear the soil of stones, roots, and weeds
• Loosen and work the soil thoroughly
• Dig a hole 2–3 times the pot’s volume
• Plant in a mix of well-rotted compost and garden soil
• Water regularly for the first six weeks to encourage rooting
• Mulch in spring with pine bark to retain soil moisture
• Protect young shoots from slugs and snails in spring; use fern-based slug repellent if needed

→ Explore our guide to growing Bergenia in pots

Left to right: Striking red foliage of Bergenia cordifolia ‘Amiral’ – Bergenia paired with Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens‘.

Care, Pruning and Maintenance of Bergenia

Bergenia requires almost no maintenance and proves to be a trouble-free perennial with exceptional hardiness. It can thrive for many decades without any care, provided the soil remains well-drained and cool in summer. Easy to grow and generous, it fears neither cold nor snow, which offers excellent protection to its foliage.

While Bergenia adapts easily to all soil types, it tolerates very dry soils rather poorly. Water regularly once or twice a week during the first summer after planting. Then, water during heatwaves to keep the soil consistently moist. Apply a good organic mulch in early spring, especially in the first few years after planting.

Pruning isn’t necessary, though a light spring clean-up can be beneficial. In March, remove all old dry or blackened leaves. Trim away faded leaves as needed.

Cut back flower stalks just after blooming to better showcase the foliage.

Although it thrives in relatively poor soil, adding organic compost in early spring will boost its growth and enhance flowering.

Diseases and potential pests

When planted in well-drained soil, the Bergenia proves to be very resilient.

Rarely affected by diseases, it has few enemies: gastropods at the start of the growing season and vine weevil larvae when grown in pots.

When cultivated in pots, its rhizomes and roots may be eaten by vine weevil larvae. In spring, spray a nematode-based solution, available from specialist garden centres. The nematode, a microscopic worm, will parasitise the vine weevil larvae, which will be consumed within a few weeks. In the garden, vine weevil larvae are not a problem as they are eaten by many beneficial animals, particularly birds and hedgehogs.

Occasionally, leaf spots caused by fungal diseases may appear. To prevent them, plant your bergenias with sufficient space between them, following the recommended planting distances. Removing affected leaves is essential to prevent spread. As a preventive measure, regularly spray horsetail or nettle manure.

The delicate pure white bells of Bergenia ‘Bressingham White’.

Multiplying bergenias

The Bergenia can be divided very easily. Over the years, the plant may show signs of fatigue and sparser flowering: after 4-5 years, in spring or autumn, divide the largest clumps that are at least three years old to rejuvenate the plant and maintain beautiful blooms.

• Using a spade, remove a rhizome from the edge of the clump, ensuring it has a rosette of leaves
• Replant the rhizome divisions immediately in well-prepared garden soil

Pairing

The Bergenia proves indispensable in a woodland garden. Spring-flowering perennials such as hardy geraniums, Cyclamen coum, early crocuses, winter heaths, snowdrops and winter aconites are its perfect companions.

In a flower bed, it will work wonders when paired with early-flowering daffodils and other spring bulbs.

A spring planting idea: Bergenia cordifolia paired with early tulips such as T. ‘Christmas Dream’ and T. fosteriana ‘Purissima’.

It can be planted in the foreground of more loosely structured plants like asters or phlox, which will spread above its foliage for much of the year.

For covering a slope, it pairs perfectly with creeping bugle, hepaticas, primroses, and in light woodland settings, with epimediums and Lenten roses.

An example planting scheme for a partially shaded slope: Acer palmatum ‘Atropurpureum’, Helleborus orientalis, Bergenia ciliata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, Astilbe simplicifolia ‘Sprite’, Rosa ‘Jacques Cartier’, Lavandula, Hosta ‘Guacamole’.

In a rock garden with light shade, it also works well with heucheras, hostas, and small evergreen shrubs like euonymus or winter-stemmed dogwoods.

Consider pairing it with foliage plants that provide contrasting forms, such as ornamental grasses, sedges, stipas or ferns.