16 varieties and types of bergenia with descriptions, planting and care rules

Herbaceous shrubs are increasingly being used for landscaping garden plots. One of the popular plantings is the perennial bergenia, which is distinguished by its spectacular appearance and relative ease of care. Its indisputable advantage is the preservation of its decorative effect until late autumn. In nature, there are 10 varieties of bergenia, each of which stands out with its individuality and coloring.

Brief characteristics of the plant

The birthplace of the perennial herbaceous plant bergenia is Asia. This bright representative of the Saxifraga family prefers to grow and develop in meadows, lowlands, and rocky terrain.

Bergenia is distinguished by a powerful root system, it is dark brown in color and has a diameter of 3.5 centimeters. The length of the rhizome can reach several meters. The underground part of the bergenia is a highly branched rhizome with a large number of lobes located close to the surface of the soil.

The thick stem reaches 15-50 centimeters in height. It has no leaves and is pink-red in color. Leaf blades are round or broadly elliptical. Adjacent tightly to each other, they form a large basal rosette.

In the spring-summer period, the color of the leaves is dark green, and in the fall - red. The length of the plates is 3-35 centimeters, and the width is 2.5-30 centimeters. Small flowers devoid of bracts are collected in dense paniculate-corymbose inflorescences. The flowers are about 2 centimeters in diameter, their color depends on the variety of bergenia. The plant blooms in May, this phase continues until June-July.

Without replanting perennial bergenia is able to maintain its high decorative qualities for 10 years.

What are the benefits of bergenia?

Among healing properties of herbal bergenia Its anti-inflammatory effect is especially appreciated. The plant is used to normalize the functioning of the digestive tract and eliminate problems associated with intestinal motility. The hemostatic and wound-healing properties of bergenia are also known.

The plant is widely used in gynecology, where it is used to treat erosion and stop bleeding during menstruation. It is actively used for inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.

The perennial bush, due to its rich chemical composition (copper, iron, manganese, vitamin C and others), has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system, strengthening the walls of blood vessels. To prepare a medicinal decoction, the rhizome is cleaned and steamed at the rate of 2 tablespoons of crushed raw material per 0.5 liter of water. The broth is cooked over low heat for 30 minutes.

Advantages of application in landscape design

Since the herbaceous plant is distinguished by its unpretentiousness to growing conditions, care and neighborhood, it can be safely used to effectively decorate a local area or garden.

A perennial exotic planting looks great both as a separate decoration and as a component of a group flower arrangement. Bergenia is also distinguished by its ability to spread as a dense carpet, protecting the area from the germination of weeds.

Bergenia with its smooth burdock leaves looks especially harmonious in tandem with astilbe, which has luxurious openwork leaf plates. It is also effective to plant it near multi-colored hostas, which overall creates an incredibly beautiful picture.

Varieties of bergenia

To develop cultivated varieties of bergenia, wild species were used. Among the varieties that have earned recognition from plant growing enthusiasts, the following specimens are noted.

Thick-leaved

This bergenia grows in Altai, Mongolia and Sayan. This evergreen plant is almost 60 centimeters in height.It produces leathery leaf plates with a glossy surface. They have a round shape and are formed into a dense rosette. In appearance, numerous flowers are very similar to bells.

The color of the paniculate inflorescence is predominantly soft pink, but can also be lilac. The flowering phase begins early and occurs at the end of April-June. Thickleaf retains its attractive appearance throughout the summer due to its succulent leaves.

It is noteworthy that bergenia does not lose its foliage color during the winter, which only increases its popularity among landscape designers.

Cordifolia

This variety of bergenia reaches a height of only 35 centimeters, but these figures may differ depending on the place of growth. The color of the original inflorescences can also vary, from pink to deep purple. Bergenia is valued for its lush heart-shaped leaf plates. The plant can delight you with its unusual flowering several times throughout the year.

Pacific

This large representative of the Saxifraga family produces a reddish peduncle on which small pink bells are formed. They often stand out with a lilac tint. The height of the bergenia is no more than 50 centimeters.

The leaf blades are leathery in the shape of an ellipse, the color is dark green, but in the fall it changes to red. Bergenia is not difficult to grow; it blooms in the spring, and the fruits ripen in June-August.

Schmidt

Schmidt's bergenia is especially popular in Europe. It is chosen for its elliptical leaves with a matte surface. They are distinguished by a dark green color, grow up to 25 centimeters in length and up to 15 centimeters in width.They have jagged edges and elongated petioles. They attract attention with the unusual structure of the leaf blades, where protrusions similar to wings form near the base of the petiole.

The color of the flowers is bright, pink-scarlet. They are collected in dense inflorescences. In autumn, the leaf mass acquires a dark red, almost inky tint.

Strechi

This miniature bergenia is distinguished by large peduncles, their height reaches 30 centimeters. It is noteworthy that at the same time there can be both snow-white and pink flowers on it. The flowering phase begins in May.

The plant, whose homeland is the Pamirs and the Himalayas, forms leaf blades with a glossy surface. They have an oblong shape and jagged edges. Their length is 10 centimeters and width is 5 centimeters. Bergenia has established itself as a frost-resistant plant that is resistant to adverse environmental factors.

Ciliated

This variety grows in Tibet and the Himalayas. It has rounded leaf plates that are covered with small bristles (lint). They actively grow in width, their length reaches 35 centimeters. The color is green, and in autumn – reddish-bronze. The edges have rounded teeth.

Numerous large flowers are formed on tall peduncles (30 centimeters). They are painted white or pink and give off a pleasant smell. The plant is grown both for cutting and for gardening. Don't worry if the leaves fall in winter, this happens at temperatures from -18 degrees.

Hybrid crop varieties

Abendglut

The height of the plant does not exceed 30 centimeters. Closer to autumn, the rich green leaves become bronze-brown. Semi-double flowers are purple in color.

Bressingham white

Bergenia of this variety leaves no one indifferent; its white flowers instantly attract the eye. Plant height up to 30 centimeters.

Ballawley

The bush grows only up to 40 centimeters. It is spectacularly decorated with pinkish-red flowers. The plant fits perfectly into any composition and does not require special care.

Baby doll

The hybrid has a slow growth rate. Its flowers range from soft pink to flesh-colored. The plant is positioned as highly decorative and unpretentious to growing conditions.

Glockenturm

The height of the bergenia reaches almost 50 centimeters. The leaf blades are slightly wavy and have a rich emerald green color. Attracts attention with pink buds and a pleasant smell.

Morgenrote

The hybrid plant forms lush inflorescences, which consist of beautiful pink buds. It blooms twice: in spring and autumn.

Scheekoenigin

The decorative crop does not exceed 50 centimeters in height. The leaf blades have wavy edges and a green color. The flowers gradually turn from white to pink.

Eroica

The bush develops crimson-red inflorescences and green leaf mass. With the arrival of autumn, it changes its color to purple, which looks very original.

Silberlicht

The plant reaches a height of 40 centimeters. The color of the flowers is white, there is a pinkish tint. The bush is distinguished by tenderness and sophistication.

Sunningdale

Bergenia grows up to 40 centimeters. Its distinctive feature is its dark purple flowers.

How to plant and grow a crop

To plant bergenia, you should choose sunny meadows, where it will delight you with its flowering for a long time. Planting in the shade is also possible, but it will grow like a carpet. The soil should not be poor, moderately fertile and free of weeds.

The main thing is that there is a drainage cushion made of expanded clay in the hole. The distance between bushes should be at least 40 centimeters.

Nuances of caring for bergenia

To avoid drying out of the soil under the bushes, it is necessary to use mulch made from sawdust, crushed bark, and leaf humus. Irrigation should be plentiful and regular. After the flower stalks fade, they are cut off.

Bergenia is an ornamental crop that does not require special conditions and gives the site a certain exoticism. The main thing is to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged and to mulch its roots.