Bergenia purpurascens - Pigsqueak

Bergenia purpurascens, also known as Elephant's ears, is a species native to the Himalayas, bearing pale pink flowers in late winter and having a very beautiful evergreen foliage, tough, dark green taking reddish hues in winter. Both decorative and useful, this ground cover forms a thick carpet and significantly limits the proliferation of adventive plants.

The 'purpurascens' Bergenia belongs to the family of Saxifragaceae, it is a very robust species, native to the eastern Himalayas. It will reach 30-40cm (16in) in height and 50cm (20in) in width at maturity, with a rather slow growth. The 'purpurascens Bergenia' is a spreading and creeping perennial, herbaceous, with vegetation gathered in tight tufts. It grows on a creeping, large, thick rhizome, enveloped by the sheaths of the base of the leaves. Over time, this plant can cover a considerable surface, but its growth is so slow that it can hardly be considered an invasive plant. Secondary stems appear here and there, eventually forming a large colony. The persistent, tough evergreen leaves, basal in rosette, glossy, are dark green on the upper side and purplish on the underside. They turn reddish-purple in winter. The flowers, pale pink to bright pink, grouped in cymes on solid, villous stems of 30-40cm (12-16in) high, appear from late winter but bloom in early spring.

The 'purpurascens Bergenia' will grow well in most soils, but a humus-rich and moist soil is preferable. Dry soils tend to limit growth. It will thrive in shade, partial shade or sunny but not scorching conditions: dense shade, where it does not flower, and strong sun should be avoided. Cold and poor soils enhance its colours. Clumps can be planted in spring or autumn, spacing the plants 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in) apart. To propagate, rhizomes can be divided at the end of winter. Although good fertilization benefits the growth of this plant, care should be taken not to enrich the soil too much with nitrogen to facilitate flowering. Remove all faded leaves in spring, spread balanced fertilizer after flowering to promote new shoots. Watch out for the appearance of slugs and snails in spring.


If you are looking for a sturdy perennial that will always be attractive, look no further than this Bergenia. The 'purpurascens' Bergenia can be advantageously used as a ground cover in a rock garden, or at the base of deciduous bushes that allow winter sun but protect it from summer heat. It can be associated, to cover a slope, with perennial geraniums (Geranium macrorrhizum), primroses, hostas.


The 'purpurascens' Bergenia, like most Bergenias, is not afraid of snow. In nature, this plant only grows where snow is abundant in winter, as it offers excellent protection to the foliage.