The ubiquitous Bergenia

[Kelaidis]

Finally got back to the Forum: I have been in Europe for a few weeks, and spring is making inroads (between snowstorms: second snowiest February in our Denver history!): there are 15 or more species blooming from Adonis to cylamen, the first reticulatas and of course galanthus, hellebores and crocuses galore)...but no Bergenias yet: I do have some old pix that I think fit into this thread:

1) Bergenia "altaica" I photographed on the Austrian road, in Kazakhstan (near the border with China): I believe it is very close if not synonymous with B. cordifolia. An abundant plant on shady slopes along with Corydalis nobilis and Aquilegia sibirica and Clematis sibirica.
2) Our Bergenia ciliata in bloom: notice, no leaves (it is deciduous). Easily one of the loveliest of the genus. I have seen this in many public gardens in Britain: every form seems different. If it were only evergreen!
3-4) Two pix of the same colony of Bergenia cordifolia at the Rock Alpine Garden at Denver Botanic Gardens: this blooms quite early and invariably is turned black by a hard frost in late March or early April: still worth growing for that glorious pink flush: I am intrigued how different the same plant looks in different lights (captured by these two very different pix.)
5-6) Bergenia crassifolia blooms a bit later and usually doesn't get frosted as much (even though it comes from further south in Eurasia) It can get amazingly tall. The fall foliage of all Bergenia is wonderful, and this one is especially fine.
7) Bergenia delavayi is quite petite and a good doer for me: this is in my home garden
this is a closeup of Bergenia stracheyi in its miniature white form I obtained 32 years ago from England.

[Kelaidis]

I have recapped my history with Bergenia stracheyi on a blog you might want to read:
http://prairiebreak.blogspot.com/2011/01/oh-tales-i-could-tell.htmlHere is a picture of our best colony at the Gardens (the last picture in the blog shows it in winter color) in bloom:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108254793438701160656/albums/5394161071482244481/5394383444833948082#photos/108254793438701160656/albums/5394161071482244481/5394383444833948082

[McDonough]

I have to admit to be jaded by swathes of cabbage Bergenia when I lived in Seattle Washington for 4 years, as there wasn't a single garden that didn't have them.  But I have to admit, they do have a great presence, and some that you show demonstrate impressive flower power as seen in the B. ciliata photo and the second B. cordifolia species.

I hope that my seed of B. stracheyi from Chris Chadwell collection in Little Tibet germinates.  Thanks for showing these, I think I need them, maybe good partners with Epimedium.

PS. welcome back to NARG Forum

[cohan]

All great plants, Panayoti! The little white is interesting, just because its different from the usual pink!

[Hoy]

Yes, great plants! Although I have a few already I will have more

[AmyO]

I planted one B. 'Tubby Andrew's' last year which the resident squirrels promptly chewed off the flower stem!  > I'm going to have to be vigilant this year with the repellents if I'm ever to get some flowers.

[Todd Boland]

I must admit I do not grow a single one!  I'll enjoy them vicariously through others!