Bergenia cordifolia

Extender across large areas with fleshy underground and above ground stems gradually forming dense carpets of leaves; moderate growth.

30-40 cm tall, 30-60 cm wide.

Single flowers like bells, dense cymes on strong peduncles, just above the leaves, bluish carmine, April to May.

Decid or semi-evergreen, waxed, thick and coarse-leathery, round to broadly oval, 20-30 cm; bronze shoots turning shiny dark green, often metallic brownish red in autumn and winter.

Sun if humidity is high, otherwise no direct sunlight to semi-shade, tolerates warmth, usually frost hardy, flowers sensitive to late frost, protection from winter sun and dry easterly winds advised; otherwise very robust and long-lived.

Fresh to moist, humic, well-drained, any garden soil.