SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bergenia cordifolia

COMMON NAME: Heartleaf bergenia

FAMILY: Saxifragaceae

TYPE: perennial

LEAVES: thick, glossy green turning bronze-burgundy in winter; semi-evergreen, moderately attractive in winter; to 1' long; all leaves basal; petioles long and thick

FLOWER: panicles; rose-red, pink or white; moderately attractive

SEASON OF BLOOM: late spring to early summer

GROWTH HABIT: 1' tall; clump forming; basal rosette of leaves

SOIL: moist, well drained with high organic content

SUN: part shade to shade; afternoon shade essential in south

HARDINESS: zone 3

UTILIZATION: for unusual coarse texture in shade, woodland gardens, edges of streams; plant in masses; good for long lasting cut foliage

DISEASES: none serious

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: none serious

PROPAGATION: seed or division; spreads by rhizomes

MAINTENANCE: division about every 4 years