Elephant's Ears Bergenia Ballawley hybrids
ABOUT
Bergenia Ballawley hybrids, commonly known as "elephant's ears" due to their distinctive large, round leaves, exhibit a rich, lush foliage that extends in a clump-forming habit. Each leaf of the elephant's ears is glossy and leathery, often taking on a green color that can vary in shade. Some hybrids may feature leaves with reddish or purplish tints that intensify during the colder months, adding a burst of warmth to the garden landscape. Throughout the blooming season, the elephant's ears produce flowers that rise above the large leaves on sturdy stems. These blooms can vary in hue, often displaying shades of pink, white, or red. The flowers cluster together at the top of the stems, creating eye-catching displays that are both upright and showy. As a resilient and hardy plant, the elephant's ears demonstrate an ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, making it a versatile choice for gardeners. Its leaves can withstand different weather patterns, and even when not in bloom, the foliage itself provides ornamental interest throughout the year.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Saxifragaceae
Synonyms
Elephant's Ears, Pigsqueak, Leather Bergenia, Heartleaf Bergenia, Megasea
Common names
Bergenia Ballawley hybrids.
ToxicityTo humans
The Bergenia Ballawley hybrids, commonly known as just Bergenia, are not widely documented as toxic to humans. There are no well-known symptoms of poisoning from ingestion as they are generally not considered poisonous to humans.
To pets
The Bergenia Ballawley hybrids, commonly referred to as Bergenia, are also not widely reported as toxic to pets. However, as with any non-food plant, ingestion could potentially lead to gastrointestinal irritation or upset in some pets, but no specific toxic symptoms are commonly recognized for these hybrids. It is always best to prevent pets from ingesting plants not intended for consumption.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Varies
Height
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive foliage: Bergenia has large, glossy leaves that provide year-round interest.
- Spring blooms: It produces striking blooms in the spring that can add color to a garden when many other plants are not yet in flower.
- Low maintenance: Once established, this plant requires relatively little care, making it ideal for busy gardeners or those looking for easy landscaping options.
- Drought-tolerant: Bergenia can survive periods of dry weather without requiring frequent watering.
- Shade tolerance: It performs well in shady areas where many other flowering plants struggle to thrive.
- Evergreen: This plant retains its leaves throughout winter, offering greenery even in the colder months.
- Soil adaptability: Bergenia can grow in a wide range of soil types, although it prefers well-drained conditions.
- Groundcover: Its dense growth habit can help suppress weeds and cover bare spots in the garden.
- Rabbit and deer resistant: Bergenia is generally not preferred by deer and rabbits, which can help prevent browsing damage in the garden.
- Seasonal color change: Some varieties of Bergenia have leaves that change color in the fall for added interest.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural fabric dye: Bergenia leaves can be boiled to extract a tannin-rich dye for coloring fabrics with earthy hues.
- In crafting natural inks: The pigments from the Bergenia plant can be used to create inks for drawing or calligraphy.
- As a hide tanning agent: The high tannin content in Bergenia leaves can be used in the leather tanning process to treat animal hides.
- For culinary decoration: The pink or white flowers can be used as edible decorations on cakes and pastries.
- As a frost indicator: Bergenia leaves can hint at the occurrence of frost, as they tend to curl when the temperature drops near freezing point.
- To create a natural barrier: Dense Bergenia growth can be cultivated to form a low, evergreen ground cover that can act as a weed barrier.
- As winter garden interest: With its evergreen leaves and persistent blooms, it can provide color and texture to otherwise barren winter gardens.
- In photography: The attractive foliage and flowers of Bergenia can be used as subjects or backdrops in botanical photography.
- For educational purposes: Bergenia can be used to teach plant propagation techniques, such as division, in horticultural classes.
- As an element in a sensory garden: With its different textures and seasonal changes, Bergenia provides a sensory experience in gardens designed for therapeutic purposes.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Bergenia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Bergenia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Hardiness: Bergenia, also known as pigsqueak, is known for its resilience and ability to withstand harsh weather, symbolizing one's ability to endure tough conditions.
- Tenacity: Pigsqueak often retains its leaves throughout the winter, representing tenacity and the persistence to keep going even in trying times.
- Protection: With its large leaves, pigsqueak can be said to symbolize protection, offering a shield against challenges and adversity.
- Adaptability: As Bergenia can grow in a variety of soils and climates, it denotes flexibility and the capability to adapt well to different environments and situations.
WaterElephant's Ears should be kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged. During the growing season, water approximately once a week with about 1 gallon of water per plant, making adjustments for rainfall and temperature. In hot, dry spells, you might need to water twice a week. In winter, reduce watering to every other week or less, depending on the plant's dormancy and indoor conditions, if it's grown as a houseplant. Make sure the pot has good drainage to prevent root rot.
LightElephant's Ears prefer bright, indirect light and should be placed in a location where they can receive this type of light for the majority of the day. They can tolerate some morning direct sunlight but should be protected from harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch their leaves.
TemperatureElephant's Ears thrive in temperatures between 60°F and 75°F, which are typical indoor conditions. They should not be exposed to temperatures below 30°F, as they are not frost-tolerant. Maintaining a stable environment without significant temperature fluctuations is ideal for the health of the plant.
PruningElephant's Ears benefit from pruning to remove spent flowers and damaged or yellowing leaves, which encourages new growth and maintains a tidy appearance. Prune in the early spring or after flowering to promote vigorous plants. It's not needed often; once or twice a year should suffice, depending on the plant's health and appearance.
CleaningAs needed
SoilElephant's Ears prefer a soil mix that's organically rich, with a pH ranging from 5.8 to 6.5. A good recipe for potting soil could be a mixture of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite in equal parts to ensure good drainage and aeration while retaining moisture.
RepottingElephant's Ears should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. Choose a slightly larger pot to give the roots room to expand.
Humidity & MistingElephant's Ears thrive in moderate to high humidity levels, consistent with their origin in the Himalayas. Aim for humidity levels of around 50% for optimal growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Elephant's Ears in well-draining soil and bright, indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade with rich, moist soil for Elephant's Ears.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Bergenia, commonly known as heartleaf bergenia or Bergenia Bressingham hybrids, begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination in early spring, gives rise to a small seedling. The seedling develops into a rosette of large, heart-shaped leaves that are carried on thick, fleshy stems, forming an evergreen perennial clump. During spring, flower stalks emerge, bearing clusters of bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or red that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers mature into capsules containing seeds, which are dispersed to propagate the next generation of plants. Throughout the summer, this hardy plant continues to grow, with the leaves gaining a leathery texture and sometimes turning bronze in colder weather. During autumn and winter, the plant remains relatively dormant, conserving energy to resume growth in the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to summer
Bergenia, commonly known as the Bergenia Ballawley hybrids, is typically propagated through division, which is the most popular method. This process is usually done in the spring or the autumn when the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the plant and remove any dead material. You will see that the plant forms clumps with multiple crowns. Using a sharp knife or spade, divide the clump into smaller sections, ensuring each section has at least one growth bud. Replant these divisions promptly, setting them at the same soil depth they were previously growing at, and water them well to help establish the new plants. This method of division is efficient for Bergenia because it ensures that the new plants are true to the parent plant in terms of its characteristics and vigor.
