Bergenia Bressingham White Elephants Ears

Bergenia Bressingham White is an evergreen clump-forming perennial with pretty white flowers and leathery leaves. It’s a top-class border filler and excellent ground cover.

Bergenia is native to central Asia from Afghanistan to the Himalayas. They are popular as ground cover and edging plants and have been cultivated since the 17^th century. Its more common names are Elephants Ears for the large leathery leaf appearance and ‘pigsqueak’ for the sound the leaves make when rubbed together.

Bergenia Bressingham White was bred by British horticulturist Alan Bloom in 1976. It’s an excellent cultivar of Bergenia holding the RHS AGM and The Perfect for Pollinators badge. Bressingham White has leathery dark green foliage with rounded edges that remains on the plant year-round. From April to May, a profusion of 35 cms flower spikes emerge with pure white bell-shaped flowers clustered at the tip. Insects love Bergenia flowers, so you can expect this to attract many different species of pollinators.

Height And Spread of Bergenia Bressingham White
This is a clump-forming low-growing perennial that will reach a height and spread of up to 50 cms within 5 years.

How Hardy Is Bergenia Bressingham White
Elephant's Ears Bressingham White is a hardy perennial if the roots are well-drained. It can cope with poor soils and pests are rarely a problem.

How To Use Bergenia Bressingham White
Bergenia has been used as ground cover and edging for centuries. Its low-growing nature and thick abundant leaves cover exposed soils and fill the front of a sunny or partially shady border with undemanding colour throughout the year. Its insect magnet flowers benefit a wildlife-friendly garden and because it’s so easy to grow, it’s perfect for busy gardeners and low maintenance spaces. A good choice beneath taller shrubs and tall roses or on banks, slopes and coastal areas.

It will grow in a plant container but needs plenty of water in the warm months.

How To Care for Bergenia Bressingham White
Bergenia is tough enough to grow in exposed sites including poor, sandy soil. Choose a well-drained position with plenty of sun or partial shade and mulch well.
Regular pruning is not required, but the removal of the faded flower spikes encourages a further flush of flowers.