Bergenia Wintermarchen - Elephant's Ears

Bergenia 'Wintermärchen', or Elephant's Ears, is a rare variety with evergreen, leathery foliage that is dark green on the upper side and light carmine on the underside, which turns beautiful scarlet colours in winter and spring. As a good ground cover, it forms a thick carpet of relatively thin leaves for the genus, which is covered in clusters of dark pink flowers in spring.

Bergenia 'Wintermärchen' belongs to the Saxifragaceae family and is a hybrid of Bergenia cordifolia, which is native to Siberia in the Altai Mountains and Central Asia, including northwest China. It reaches a height of 40cm (16in) and width of 50cm (20in), with a fairly slow growth. Bergenia 'Wintermärchen' is an evergreen, spreading and creeping perennial with herbaceous vegetation gathered in tight clumps. It grows on a large, thick, creeping rhizome wrapped in sheaths from the base of the leaves. Over time, this plant 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 evergreen, leathery leaves, narrower than those of the species, basal in a rosette, glossy, are dark green on the upper side and carmine on the underside. They turn scarlet red in spring and winter. The flowers, bright pink to dark pink, grouped in clusters on sturdy 40cm (16in) stems, appear from late winter to early spring.

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


If you are looking for a sturdy perennial that will always be attractive, look no further than this Bergenia! Bergenia 'Wintermärchen' can be advantageously used as a rockery ground cover, 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 hostas to cover a slope.


Bergenia 'Wintermärchen', 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.