Bergenia cordifolia
Common Name(s):
Pigsqueak
Heart leaved bergenia
Synonym:
Megasea cordifolia
Elephant's ears
Flower:
Pink
Blooms :
Apr
to:
May
Flowers with 5 pink petals in a panicle
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Saxifragaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Foliage:
Dark Green
Leaves leathery, glossy, toothed, rounded with cordate bases
Fall Color?
YES
Leaves turn purplish-bronze
Semi-Evergreen
Photo by:
Heading 6
Leaves retain color from fall
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
NO
Origins:
Russia
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
M
Sun Needs:
Shade
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
1-1.5'
Spread:
1-1.5'
Growth Rate:
Slow
Native Habitat:
Damp rocky woodlands and meadows
Soil:
Moist humusy
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Apply balanced (10-10-10) slow release fertilizer or compost in early spring
Mulch:
2-3" layer of shredded bark, compost, or leaf mold in spring or fall
Divide every 3-5 years, maintain moisture, trim old, tattered, or dead leaves, apply mulch or compost, monitor for pests
Long Term:
Winter:
Mulch if not done in fall, protect from winter winds
Spring:
Trim away old, dead, or damaged leaves, remove spent flowers, ensure consistent moisture, apply a light application of compost or balanced slow-release fertilizer, divide if needed
Summer:
Keep soil consistently moist, give protection from afternoon sun, remove spent flowers, watch for leaf spot, apply mulch
Fall:
Maintain soil moisture, apply mulch, keep 'elephant ear' leaves in place
General Care Comments:
Thrives in part shade, prefers moisture retentive humus-rich well-drained soil, remove old, tatttered or blackened leaves, remove faded flower stalks
Common Problems
Doesn't tolerate full sun
Diseases:
Leaf spot
Insects:
Black vine weevils
Environmental Problems:
Susceptible to sun scorch or winter drying from harsh winds
Pests:
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