Bergenia crassifolia (Siberian tea)

Botanical name

Bergenia crassifolia

Other names

Siberian tea, Winter blooming bergenia, Elephant's ear saxifrage, Elephant ears, Korean elephant-ear, Mongolian tea, Heart-leaved bergenia, Heartleaf bergenia, Leather bergenia

Genus

Bergenia Bergenia

Species

B. crassifolia - B. crassifolia is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial with oblong to broadly ovate, toothed, mid-green leaves, flushed red in exposed sites, and red, branched stems bearing nodding, pink or purple-pink flowers from late winter to early spring.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming, Erect flower stem

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Colour

Flower

Purple-pink in Spring; Purple-pink in Winter

Foliage

Flushed red in Winter; Mid-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Caterpillars , Slugs , Snails , Vine weevil

Specific diseases

Leaf spot

General care

Pruning

Remove faded flower spikes in late spring or early summer. Remove dead or damaged leaves in mid-spring.

Propagation

Divide every 4-5 years after flowering in spring or in early autumn.

Propagation methods

Division

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Bergenia crassifolia (Siberian tea) will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.45m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, City, Coastal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Underplanting

Cultivation

Plant in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in sun or part shade. Tolerates poor soil and exposed sites, but avoid hot, dry conditions. Weed around plants until they form a ground cover.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4