Scientific name: Bergenia cordifolia
Family: SAXIFRAGACEAE
Common names: “pigsqueek” “heart-leaf bergenia”
Plant Type: Evergreen perennial in Victoria, herbaceous in colder regions
Conditions:
Zone: 3-8
Light: Full sun – part shade
Exposure: Sheltered or exposed
Soil: Humus rich soil best, tolerates poor conditions
Moisture: Moist well drained, tolerates drought
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 12″-18″ W -24″
Leaf and Stem shape: Spreading clump of rounded, slightly wavy leaves, often with a tinge of purple in winter
Flower: Tall red stems carry sprays of deep pink flowers in early spring, can be damaged by late frost
Pruning: Cut out old flower spikes
Maintenance: Low
Landscape use: Groundcover, banks and slopes, rocky poor conditions
Propagate: By division or rhizomes
Pests & Disease: prone to weevils, deer food
Comments: tough plant
Cultivars: B. g. ‘Eroica’ – deep burgundy leaves in winter
B. g. ‘Pink Dragonfly’ – taller more upright with smaller narrow leaves
B. g. ‘Lunar Glow’ – lime green in winter, looked good but turned out to be a poor performer
B. g. ‘Winterglut’ – deep pink-red, dark green leaves turning burgundy in winter
B. g. ‘Abenglut’ – good winter colour with deep purple-pink flowers
B. g. ‘Bressingham White’ – snowy white turning quickly to pale pink, robust
