Herbaceous perennial
Bergenia ciliata
Fringed elephant’s ears
Also known as: Hairy bergenia
A low, spreading perennial with large softly hairy leaves and white spring flowers that age pink.
- Full sun, Partial shade
- 20–45 cm (8–18 in)
- 30–60 cm (12–24 in)
- H4 · Zone 5
- March–April
- Semi evergreen
Overview
This rhizomatous bergenia produces broad rounded leaves with conspicuously hairy margins. Clusters of white to blush-pink flowers appear on reddish stems in early spring, before or with the new foliage.
At a Glance
Sun
Full sun, Partial shade
Height
20–45 cm (8–18 in)
Spread
30–60 cm (12–24 in)
Hardiness
H4 · Zone 5
Flowers
March–April
Soil
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture
Moist well drained
Habit
Clump forming, Spreading
Water
Moderate
Growing Conditions
Min. Temperature
-10°C (14°F)
pH Range
5.5–8
Drainage
Free Draining
Aspect Suitability
- East-facing
- South-facing
- West-facing
Site Tolerance
- Exposed sites
- Drought
Soil Tolerance
- Clay
- Chalk
- Sandy
- Loam
- Acid
- Neutral pH
- Alkaline
Foliage
Persistence
Semi evergreen
Colour
Green, Bronze-red
Leaf shape / texture
Rounded|Hairy
- Autumn colour
- Architectural foliage
Foliage interest: 12 months of the year
Seasonal Timeline
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Flowering
Foliage
Propagate
- Flowering Mar Apr
- Foliage 12 months of the year
- Propagate Apr May Sep
Maintenance Calendar
- Feb Remove damaged leaves before flowers emerge
- Apr Deadhead and divide congested clumps after flowering
- Jun Water during prolonged dry spells
- Sep Apply a light organic mulch without burying crowns
Garden Design
Works well in: Container, Cottage, Groundcover, Underplanting, Wildlife, Woodland
Effective beneath deciduous shrubs, where spring light reaches the flowers and summer shade protects the leaves.
Companion planting: Ferns, Hellebores, Epimediums, Spring bulbs
Wildlife Value
- Bees
- Other pollinators
- other_pollinators