Bergenia Winterglut - Elephant's Ears

The entire 'Winterglut' Bergenia is adorned with flamboyant red hues throughout the seasons. Its late spring flowers in intense magenta cymes are borne on thick reddish-pink stems. Its large evergreen leaves initially green turn a vivid red in autumn, enhancing the garden throughout autumn and winter! This rhizomatous perennial with a spreading bushy habit forms a dense carpet over time, capable of colonizing even the most inhospitable spaces. It is a perfect ground cover, in the shade of a tree or in a sunny rockery. Dry and hot locations should be avoided. Hardy, undemanding, and extremely resilient, it is essential in gardens with limited light, with well-drained, fairly moist, and humus-rich soil.

The 'Winterglut' Bergenia is a plant from the Saxifragaceae family. Of hybrid and horticultural origin, it is an improvement on the variety B. 'Rotblum'. It is an evergreen herbaceous perennial, reaching approximately 45cm (18in) in height, with vegetation gathered in tight clumps about 40cm (16in) wide. It grows on a creeping, thick rhizome enveloped by the sheaths of the base of the leaves. Over time, this 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 tough, glossy, heart-shaped leaves, measuring 30 to 50cm (12 to 20in) wide, are arranged in shiny rosettes. They are very thick and have dentate edges. The bell-shaped flowers, grouped in upright panicles, appear from May to June. Honey-scented, they are borne on rigid, ramified stems that rise well above the foliage and can be used for making bouquets.

The 'Winterglut' Bergenia will thrive in most soils, but a humus-rich, moist soil is preferable. It tolerates sea spray and calcareous soils. Overly dry soils tend to limit its growth. It will flourish in shade, partial shade, or in a sunny position that is not scorching: dense shade should be avoided, as it does not flower, as well as intense sunlight. 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, containers, rockeries, borders, or as a small ground cover, or at the base of deciduous bushes that allow winter sun but protect it from its summer heat. It can be combined, to border a pathway, with perennial geraniums (Geranium macrorrhizum), primroses, and in woodland areas with creeping bugles, oriental Hellebores, Hostas, Rodgersias, Astilbes.