Bergenia Edens Dark Magic - Elephant's Ears

Bergenia 'Eden's Dark Magic' is a new variety of Bergenia remarkably colourful throughout the year. This Elephant's Ears develops large shiny and crinkled leaves beautifully bordered by a red line, which gradually turn to very dark purple and then to deep brown in autumn and retains its beautiful colour throughout winter, until the vibrant magenta and red flowering in spring. A truly beautiful and carefree ground cover plant, perfect for placing along a pathway leading to the house to brighten up the short winter days. 

Bergenia cordifolia belongs to the Saxifragaceae family, it is a very resistant and hardy species, native to the Altaï mountains in Siberia. It has given rise to numerous cultivars through hybridization with other species, each more adorable than the next. 
The 'Eden's Dark Magic' Bergenia is a particularly hardy herbaceous perennial, which persists in winter. It has a spreading and creeping habit, with its foliage gathered in tight clumps. It will reach an average height of 40cm for the leaves and at least the same width at maturity, after about 5 years of cultivation. This plant grows on a creeping, thick rhizome enveloped by the sheaths at the base of the leaves. Over time, it can cover a considerable area, but its growth is so slow that it can hardly be considered invasive. Secondary stems appear here and there, eventually forming a large colony.  The large basal leaves, with crinkled, leathery, shiny, rosette-shaped dark green foliage, are edged with reddish-brown in spring and summer. They gradually turn purple, taking on metallic reflections in autumn, and then become brownish due to the cold, throughout winter. They are heart-shaped at the base. The flowers, combining light pink, magenta and deep purple-red at the centre, are grouped in panicles on short, sturdy and hairy stems, strikingly red, above the foliage. They appear from late winter but bloom in spring, usually in April-May. They are quite long-lasting and can be used in fresh spring bouquets.

The 'Eden's Dark Magic' Bergenia will thrive in most soils, but a rich, humus-rich and moist soil is ideal. Dry soils tend to limit growth. It will thrive in shade, partial shade or sunny but not scorching locations: dense shade, where it does not flower, and strong sun should be avoided. Cold and poor soils enhance its colours.  If you are looking for a sturdy perennial that will be attractive all year round, look no further than this Bergenia. It can be advantageously used as a ground cover in a rockery, to border a pathway, or at the base of deciduous bushes that allow winter sun but protect it from summer heat. It can be paired with perennial geraniums (Geranium macrorrhizum), primroses, and oriental hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) in woodland areas.

Bergenia cordifolia, like most Bergenias, is not afraid of snow. In nature, this plant only grows where there is abundant snow in winter, as it provides excellent protection for the foliage.