Bergenia 'ROTBLUM'

Elephant’s ears is a great name that best characterizes leaves of this perennial. They are truly shaped like real ears of baby elephants. Most varieties change their colour in autumn and winter adding extra interest to borders and beds, or making a winter window pot looking especially attractive, combined with dwarf conifers or small-leaved plants like hebes. Bergenia was described by German botanist Conrad Moench (1744-1805) and named in honour of another German botanist Karl August von Bergen (1704-1759).

Rotblum is a bergenia variety with dark pink flowers and almost rounded foliage. The evergreen leaves are dark olive green with some wine red shades in the season, turning coppery red and burgundy red for autumn and winter. Blooming begins late, usually around mid April, and continues for 4-6 weeks. Flower buds are born atop 30-40 cm tall, crimson red stems, they are campanulate and nodding first, rising up their heads later as the flowers open wide.

Bergenia is a spreading, ground covering perennial with tough rhizomes. It likes moist but well-drained soil, rich in humus but will grow in almost any soil. Growing it in full sun will guarantee profuse flowering and richer foliage colours in autumn and winter. Avoid areas with constant drying winds. Its hardiness is at least -34°C (USDA zone 4), yet it benefits from mulching.

Last update 12-01-2016