Bergenias
What are they?
The bergenias or elephant-ears are rather chunky members of the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae) and that can be seen in the structure of the flowers which typically have five petals arranged around a double carpel. Bergenias are low-growing, evergreen plants, spreading by means of thick, rhizomatous stems that spread out above the soil surface. The leaves are thick, leathery and glossy and form whorls towards the head of the creeping stems. The flowers appear early in the year with many flowers in branched, leafless heads.
Where are they found?
Bergenias are native to the forests of Northern and Central Asia and were introduced into the UK as garden ornamentals. They are widely grown as garden plants and also frequently planted in churchyards and cemeteries.
Identification
Some bergenias can be difficult to identify to species, partly because the various species are both rather similar and rather variable and also because hoticultural cross-breeding and selection has produced a range of cultivars and hybrids that don't often key out very easily. Important features to check include the shape of leaves and the presence or absence of any hairs around the margins. The shape of the petals can be useful as well as the overall appearance of the flower spikes, especially whether the flowers are refelxed downward or face more horizontally/upward.
Note that the overall shape of flower spikes can vary with age. Flowers begin opening while the spike is still emerging, so earlier spikes can be rather rounded and compact, while later spikes are more elongated and upright. Older records of bergenias probably mostly involved B. crassifolia and B. cordifolia but these have largely been replaced by modern hybrids in the horicultural trade. Despite this, many plants are still identified as one or other of these two species and there are probably some misidentifications.
Elephant-ears Bergenia crassifolia
Native to Central and Northern Asia and introduced as a garden ornamental. Flowers late February to April. Leaves variously rounded or ovate, with most showing a tapered base and without hairs at their margins. Flowers mostly somewhat reflexed downward with petals gradually narrowing into their basal claw.
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Heart-leaved Bergenia Bergenia cordifolia
Native to Central and Northern Asia and introduced as a garden ornamental. Flowers late February to April. Leaves typically rounded with a cordate base and without hairs at their margins. Flowers mostly upwardly inclined with petals broadly rounded and abruptly narrowing into their basal claw.
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Hybrid Elephant-ears Bergenia x schmidtii
A garden hybrid (B. crassifolia x B. ciliata), produced in cultivation and the parent of many of the modern cultivated varieties. Widely grown and often planted in amenity areas, churchyards and cemeteries. Flowers late February to April. Leaves variously rounded or ovate, with either a tapered or cordate base (and often a range of shapes on any one plant) and with stiff hairs at their margins, particularly in the lower third of the leaf. Flowers variable shades of pink, or white.
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