Elephant's Ears Bergenia 'Claire Maxine'
ABOUT
Bergenia 'Claire Maxine', often called elephant's ears due to the shape of its foliage, is an evergreen perennial known for its robust and glossy leaves. The foliage has a leathery texture, often with a rounded heart shape, and can display a variety of colors ranging from green to bronze-purple, particularly during colder months when the leaves can take on a more intense hue. The plant produces striking flowers that emerge on stout stems above the foliage. These blooms are typically in shades of pink and form clusters that can add a touch of color to the garden in the period from late winter to early spring. Elephant's ears create a lush groundcover with their dense foliage, and their attractive flowers provide a contrast against the glossy leaves, making it a popular choice for gardeners looking for year-round interest. The overall impression of Bergenia 'Claire Maxine' is of a sturdy, attractive plant that brings both texture and color to plantings.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Pigsqueak, Elephant Ears, Large Rockfoil.
Common names
Bergenia 'Claire Maxine'.
ToxicityTo humans
Bergenia, including the 'Claire Maxine' cultivar, is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, as with any plant material, individual reactions can vary, and ingesting large quantities may cause mild stomach upset. There are no serious toxicity issues known for humans ingesting parts of the Bergenia plant.
To pets
Bergenia, including the 'Claire Maxine' cultivar, is generally considered non-toxic to pets as well. It is not listed as a toxic plant for pets by major animal safety organizations. However, ingestion can sometimes lead to mild gastrointestinal upset due to the ingestion of non-food substances by pets. Watch for signs such as vomiting or diarrhea, which are common symptoms if a pet has a sensitive stomach or eats too much plant material.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Easy to grow - Bergenia 'Claire Maxine' is low maintenance and can thrive in a variety of conditions.
- Year-round interest - With evergreen leaves, it provides garden interest throughout all seasons.
- Drought tolerant - Once established, it has low water requirements, making it suitable for dry gardens.
- Attractive foliage - The plant has large, glossy leaves that can provide a lush, tropical feel to gardens.
- Groundcover - Its spreading habit makes it an excellent groundcover, suppressing weeds and covering bare spots.
- Seasonal flowers - It produces striking pink flowers in the spring, adding color to the garden when many plants are not yet in bloom.
- Wildlife-friendly - The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Hardy - It's capable of surviving in a wide range of climates and is known for its hardiness in cold temperatures.
- Versatile - Ideal for planting in borders, rock gardens, and containers, offering various landscaping uses.
- Soil adaptable - Bergenia 'Claire Maxine' can grow in a range of soil types, from clay to sand, as long as the soil is well-draining.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Bergenia 'Claire Maxine' leaves can be used as a natural dye source for fabrics, producing colors that range from greens to browns depending on the mordant used.
- The large, leathery leaves can serve as a makeshift water scoop or container in outdoor or survival situations.
- Due to their thick foliage, these plants are often used in garden design to provide year-round ground cover, reducing soil erosion and suppressing weeds.
- Their robust leaves can be used as natural mulch, decomposing slowly and nourishing the soil as they break down.
- In frost-free areas, Bergenia 'Claire Maxine' can be grown in containers as part of rooftop gardens, helping to insulate buildings and reduce urban heat islands.
- Pressed or dried Bergenia flowers and leaves are used in crafts to make bookmarks, greeting cards, or in scrapbooking for their textural and visual appeal.
- Children sometimes use the thick leaves to make natural "leaf boats" to float in streams or puddles for play.
- Gardeners utilize these plants as a living border to define paths and edges in landscaping designs.
- Bergenia 'Claire Maxine' clumps can be divided and transplanted to propagate more plants, which can be shared or swapped with fellow gardeners as a sustainable practice.
- Their attractive blooms can be cut and used in floral arrangements, adding a touch of natural beauty indoors.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Bergenia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityBergenia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Tenacity and Resilience: Bergenia, commonly known as "Pigsqueak" due to the sound its leaves make when rubbed together, often symbolizes tenacity and resilience. Its leathery leaves persist through winter, displaying endurance amid harsh conditions.
- Adaptability: Pigsqueak can thrive in a range of conditions from full sun to shade, representing adaptability to life's changing circumstances.
- Protection: The thick, rubbery leaves of Pigsqueak are believed to symbolize protection and safety, offering a shield against both physical and emotional harm.
- Long-lasting Love: As a plant that can live and stay evergreen for many years, Pigsqueak is often associated with long-lasting affection and eternal love.
- Healing: Historically, certain species of Bergenia have been used for medicinal purposes, thus they can symbolize healing and recovery.
WaterPigsqueak prefers even moisture, meaning it should be watered thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Typically, this might mean watering once every week, but the exact frequency can depend on climate and soil conditions. When watering, apply water directly to the base of the plant until it begins to run out of the bottom of the pot, if grown in containers, or until the surrounding soil is fully saturated. Avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of leaf diseases. An average Pigsqueak may require about one gallon of water per week during the growing season, but always check soil moisture before watering to prevent overwatering.
LightPigsqueak thrives in light conditions where it can receive partial shade to full sun. It is best suited for a spot that offers morning sunlight and afternoon dappled shade, especially in regions with hot summers. When positioning Pigsqueak outdoors, ensure the location gets a few hours of direct sunlight with some protection during the peak intensity of the day.
TemperaturePigsqueak is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, typically from 0 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They grow best in temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which encourages healthy growth and flowering. Pigsqueak should not be exposed to temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, as it can damage or kill the plant.
PruningPigsqueak should be pruned to remove spent flower stems and damaged or dead foliage to encourage new growth and improve its appearance. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring, just before new growth starts. Pruning can be done annually or as needed throughout the growing season to maintain plant health and shape.
CleaningAs needed
SoilElephant's Ear 'Claire Maxine' thrives in organic-rich, well-draining soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. A mix of loam, compost, and peat with added perlite or sand is ideal to maintain proper moisture and aeration.
RepottingElephant's Ear 'Claire Maxine' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current pot, ensuring that any divided clumps have enough room to grow.
Humidity & MistingElephant's Ear 'Claire Maxine' prefers moderate humidity levels, but is tolerant of both low and high humidity environments, making it relatively adaptable to average home conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Keep in bright, indirect light and water when topsoil is dry.
Outdoor
Plant in part shade, ensure soil is moist and well-draining.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA.
Life cycleThe Bergenia 'Claire Maxine', commonly known as Bergenia, begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in early spring, given the right conditions of moist soil and cool temperatures. The seedlings develop into rosettes of leathery, glossy, evergreen leaves, which can persist through winter. As the plant matures, it produces stout flowering stems in late spring that bear clusters of bell-shaped flowers, typically pink or purple. After blooming, the plant enters a period of vegetative growth, where it may spread via rhizomes, forming dense clumps. Throughout the summer, Bergenia 'Claire Maxine' will continue to grow foliage, which may take on a bronze hue in fall. The plant then goes dormant in the winter, with the cycle repeating the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Bergenia 'Claire Maxine', often referred to as Pigsqueak due to the sound its leaves make when rubbed together, is by division. This is ideally done in late autumn or early spring. To propagate by division, carefully lift the plant from the ground using a garden fork, ensuring as much of the root system as possible is intact. The clump should then be divided into smaller sections, each with several shoots and a portion of the root system. Replant the sections at the same depth they were originally growing, spacing them about 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart to allow room for growth. Water the newly planted divisions thoroughly to help establish them. This method of propagation is straightforward and typically results in a high success rate, leading to new Pigsqueak plants that will start growing and can mature in a single growing season.
