6 Tips for using Heartleaf Bergenia in Garden Design
Bergenia cordifolia, more commonly known as Elephant's Ears or Heartleaf Bergenia, is a plant with a wide range of uses and adds interesting texture and form to any garden design. This evergreen perennial has various shades of green foliage — from dark tones to vibrant hues — and bell-shaped flower blooms in the early springtime. If you are looking for ways to incorporate Bergenia cordifolia into your garden layout or grow this majestic plant yourself, read on for five key facts about Bergenia cordifolia and several useful tips for temperate climates.
Heartleaf Bergenia in deep shade used as a path border. Its glossy leaves catch the light and adds an accent to shady areas.
Heartleaf Bergenia shows how well it complements different types of plants, leaf shapes and textures to create an attractive border.
Bergenia’s ability to tolerate a range of sun exposures from full sun to deep shade means that it has a wide range of uses in cool and temperate garden design. Its habit of growing as a dense groundcover with shapely glossy leaves makes it a great companion plant for many different types of flowers and foliage.
In shady positions it pairs well with low-maintenance ferns, heucheras, hellebores, astilbes and Japanese wind anemones that thrive in moist soil conditions and cooler temperatures.
It pairs nicely with ornamental grasses like Liriope, native Dianellas and Lomandras as well as strappy flowering shade plants like Cliveas and Renga Lilies (Arthropodium cirratum).
As a border planting, its leaves and seasonal flowers nicely set a foreground to perennial shrubs such as Hydrangeas and Hebes, Boxwood and Juniper hedging as well Australian natives such as smaller Grevilleas, Native Fuschia (Correa reflexa) and Waxflower bush (Philotheca myoporoides).
As a border planting it also compliments a wide range of flowers such as Sedums, Echinacea, Dahlias, Salvias and many more.
Bergenia used to soften the transition between hard stone paving and formal hedging.
Closeup of the flower of the Hearleaf Bergenia or Bergenia cordifolia.
6 Tips for Caring for Heartleaf Bergenia
1. Plant Bergenia cordifolia in well-drained, fertile soil and ensure that the area receives plenty of sunlight.
2. Water your Bergenia cordifolia regularly for optimal growth — keep the soil moist but not soggy to avoid root rot.
3. Prune back any dead or damaged foliage during springtime to encourage new, healthy growth and remove spent blooms after flowering is complete to promote reblooming in future seasons.
4. Mulch around the base of your plants to help conserve moisture in dry climates or provide extra insulation during cold winter months (in colder climates).
5. Be aware of common diseases such as powdery mildew that can affect Bergenia cordifolia if it is grown under wet conditions with poor air circulation – take steps like watering at ground level and maintaining adequate spacing between plants to reduce any risk of infection from spreading
6. Bergenia cordifolia is subject to attack from several pests and diseases, so it is important to be aware of the potential risks and take appropriate measures to protect your plants. Common garden pests such as slugs and snails can feed on Bergenia cordifolia foliage and blooms. Usually damage to leaves by slugs and snails can be light but if you're experiencing severe damage by them you can use a slug/snail bait that will kill them and reduce their numbers but don't use these baits if you have outdoor pets like cats and dogs because the baits can be very toxic to them. Placing broken eggshells around the base of the plants will act as a barrier that they won't want to climb over.
While Bergenia doesn’t like its roots to stay wet, when planted at the water’s edge it grows well and adds contrasting shape to the grasses and tree ferns.
Bergenia used to frame the border of a feature birdbath that is the focal point of this lawn at Bebeah Gardens, Mt. Wilson, Blue Mountains.
If you need help with your garden design, New Terrain Landscape Design can help create something beautiful that works for you and adds value to your home. Contact New Terrain.