Bergenia Ice Queen - Elephant's Ears

Bergenia stracheyi 'Ice Queen', known as Bergenia or Elephant's Ears, is a sweet and original new arrival. It produces unusual clusters of green and cream bell-shaped flowers with a thick texture in spring, emerging from pretty dark green and evergreen foliage. Over time, this perennial can form beautiful colonies that make an effective and attractive low ground cover. It is a small and discreetly elegant variety, easy to grow in mild sun or shade, in well-drained, rather moist and humus-rich soil.

Bergenia 'Ice Queen' is a plant from the Saxifragaceae family, most likely descended from Bergenia stracheyi, as indicated by its predominantly white flowers and small shiny green leaves with undulate margins. This species is found in the western Himalayas at an altitude between 2700 and 4700 metres (8858 and 15420 feet), as well as in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

The 'Ice Queen' variety is a creeping, herbaceous evergreen perennial that reaches a height of 20cm (8in), with its growth gathered in dense tufts. It grows on a large, thick creeping rhizome, enveloped by the sheaths of the base of the leaves. Over time, the plant spreads, but its growth is so slow that it can hardly be considered invasive. Secondary stems appear here and there, eventually forming a beautiful carpet. The small, persistent, leathery leaves arranged in rosettes are dark green all year round. They are very thick, of modest size, and ovate in shape. The rather downward-facing flowers are grouped in panicles. They are white-cream with a green centre, on short stems. They appear from early spring but fully bloom in the heart of spring, in April-May.

Bergenia 'Ice Queen' will thrive in most soils, but a humus-rich and moist soil is preferable. Dry soils tend to limit its growth. It will prosper in shade, partial shade, or sunny but not scorching conditions: dense shade, where it does not flower, and intense sun should be avoided. Cold weather and poor soils enhance its colours. If you are looking for an elegant and sturdy perennial that will always be attractive, look no further than this Bergenia. It can be advantageously used in pots, rockeries, borders, or as a small ground cover, or at the base of deciduous bushes that allow winter sun but protect it from the summer heat. It can be associated, to border a pathway, with perennial geraniums (Geranium macrorrhizum), primroses, and in woodland areas with oriental Hellebores, hostas, and Rodgersias.


Bergenia stracheyi and its varieties, like most bergenias, are not afraid of snow. In nature, this plant only grows where snow is abundant in winter, as it provides excellent protection for the foliage.