The Bergenia is an evergreen and hardy perennial that shines with its bell-shaped flowers and autumn foliage colour. In addition, it is easy to care for.
Shady locations in the garden do not necessarily have to look dreary. After all, there are numerous flowering perennials that illuminate less sun-drenched places. Bergenia (Bergenia) is one of the flowering perennials that look attractive on such areas in the garden. This flowering perennial is robust, hardy and extremely frugal when it comes to care. In addition, it can be used in many ways in the garden. For example in small groups for the bed, in the foreground of hedges or in the vicinity of various shrubs. Even in a bucket on the terrace, this perennial is a splendour.
Appearance of Bergenia
This flowering perennial is an evergreen, perennial and hardy plant. Its heart-shaped leaves, also known casually as elephant ears, turn deep orange to red in autumn. The bell-shaped flowers form a umbel. Depending on the breed, the flower blossoms are purple-pink, red or white. Garden centers as well as online perennial gardeners also offer bergenias, which bloom again magnificently in autumn. One such admirable perennial is Bergenia cordifolia 'Autumn Blossom'.
The perfect location for the Bergenia
It doesn't matter whether you place the perennial in the shade, partial shade or full sun, the Bergenia is not choosy about it. Nevertheless, the following is recommended:
Do not place the flowering perennial in the shade under a deciduous tree that casts a dark shadow. Because too little light restricts the ability to flower considerably. If you choose a sunny location, make sure that the plant is not exposed to the midday sun. The "elephant ears" suffer from the extreme midday heat and will dry up on the edges of the leaves in the foreseeable future.
This is how the soil should be
The soil conditions are rather unimportant for the plant. A normal garden soil, permeable and rich in nutrients is completely sufficient. If you have loamy soil, then work plenty of sand and humus into it.
Bergenia can, by the way, from spring to autumnto be planted. If you prefer group planting, place the young perennials 40 centimeters apart.
How to properly care for Bergenia
Casting:
Once you have planted your Bergenia, water them well. In the first few weeks, water the young perennial only moderately. Later, the flowering perennial gets along with the weather-related precipitation.
During a longer period of drought, water the perennials a little in sunny locations. Only water enough to keep the root ball from drying out.
Fertilize:
Your perennial flowering plant is fertilized with compost in autumn. This supplies the soil with nutrients and naturally loosens the soil. This keeps the soil well permeable to water. You can also provide the Bergenia with a long-term fertilizer for flowers and perennials.
Pruning:
Immediately after flowering, cut off the flower stalks at ground level. Remove wilted leaves in early spring.
Hiberation:
Bergenias in the garden do not need to be protected as they are particularly hardy. However, you have to pay attention to the flowering perennial in the bucket. Insulate the planter with fleece, bubble wrap or jute before winter. And put the bucket in a sheltered place. But you don't need to store the vessel.
Weeping weevil can be dangerous
The Bergenia is largely immune to plant diseases, provided no care mistakes are made. But the perennial can be plagued by a voracious pest: the vine weevil. This sinister fellow is nocturnal and not seen during the day. He generally prefers the leaves of the plant. Its larvae, on the other hand, live in the soil and damage the roots.
You can fight the larvae with nematodes. You put these in the irrigation water and inoculate the soil with these nematodes. There are traps for the bugs.
Summary:
Bergenias are an eye-catcher in every corner of the garden. They thrive in the shade, semi-shade as well as in sunny places. The garden soil should be permeable to water and rich in nutrients. Once established, you don't need to worry about watering. The flowering perennial gets by with weather-related precipitation. Fertilize in autumn with compost or a long-term fertilizer for flowers and perennials.