Named for Karl August von Bergen, 1704-60, German botanist (Saxifragaceae). These hardy perennial herbaceous crops with massive evergreen leaves have been at one time referred to as megasea, and have been at one other time included with the saxifrages. The flowers which are available early spring are showy in white, pink or red-purple, borne in massive heads on lengthy stems. The big leathery, shiny leaves are additionally ornamental, particularly as in some varieties the foliage is suffused with reddish coloration in winter.
Plant Species
- B. cordifolia, 1 foot, pink, spring; var. purpurea, flowers purplish-pink.
- B. crassifolia, 1 foot, pink, spring.
- B. delavayi, 9 inches, leaves flip crimson in winter, flowers purplish-rose, March,
- B. ligulata, 1 foot, white or pink, January or February onwards,
- B. x schmidtii, 1 foot, flowers pink spring.
- B. stracheyi, 1 foot, pink, April.
Cultivars
- `Ballawley Hybrid’, 14 toes, crimson flowers, darkish purplish leaves in winter.
- `Delbees’, 1 foot, leaves flip purple in winter, flowers rosy, March—April.
- `Night Glow’, 15-18 inches,%darkish purple flowers, reddish-bronze foliage.
- `Silberlichf , (`Silver Mild’), 1 foot, flowers white flushed pink, spring.
- Others can be found and extra are more likely to be seen in cultivation as time goes on.
Planting location
These members of the saxifrage household are by no means tough, thriving in any soil, in solar or shade. Nonetheless, to get full coloration within the winter leaves (and this may be very wonderful), will probably be vital to present the bergenias full solar publicity; and underneath these circumstances they will even produce their flowers considerably earlier.
