Elephant's ears 'Purpurea' Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea'
ABOUT
'Purpurea' is a perennial forming a clump of large, rounded deep green leaves, purplish in winter. Bright magenta-pink flowers in erect clusters on red stems to 50cm in height
About this plant
NamesFamily
Saxifragaceae.
Synonyms
Heartleaf Bergenia, Leather Bergenia, Elephant-Ears, Pig Squeak, Purple Bergenia.
Common names
Saxifraga cordifolia, Bergenia crassifolia, Megasea crassifolia, Megasea cordifolia.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1-3 feet (30-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Year-round visual appeal: Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea', also known as heartleaf bergenia, displays deep green leaves that turn purplish-bronze in winter, offering garden interest throughout all seasons.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, heartleaf bergenia is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for water-wise gardens or regions with low rainfall.
- Low maintenance: This plant requires minimal care, making it ideal for gardeners seeking low-maintenance landscaping options.
- Erosion control: With its dense, mat-forming growth habit, heartleaf bergenia can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes or in problem areas.
- Pest resistance: Heartleaf bergenia is generally resistant to pests, decreasing the need for chemical treatments in the garden.
- Tolerance to shade: This plant thrives in part shade conditions, making it a good choice for woodland gardens or shaded areas where other plants might struggle.
- Attracts pollinators: Heartleaf bergenia produces attractive pink blooms in spring that can attract bees and other pollinators to the garden.
- Groundcover: Its capacity to form extensive ground cover helps to suppress weeds, reducing garden maintenance further.
Medical Properties- Anti-inflammatory: Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' has been used for its anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce swelling and pain.
- Antimicrobial: Contains compounds that have been reported to have antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and fungi.
- Astringent: The plant's astringent qualities make it useful for toning and tightening tissues, as well as for stopping bleeding from minor cuts and abrasions.
- Diuretic: It is sometimes used in traditional medicine for its diuretic effects to help increase the flow of urine.
- Antilithic: Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' has traditionally been used to help prevent or treat kidney stones.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea', commonly known as heartleaf bergenia, can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of pinkish hues due to the pigments in its leaves.
- The large, leathery leaves of heartleaf bergenia can be used as impromptu waterproof mats or wrappers when outdoor, helping to keep items dry when placed on damp ground.
- When heated, the leaves can be molded to form small cups or containers, as they become pliable, which can add a natural touch to garden parties.
- The crushed leaves can be rubbed on wooden surfaces as a natural polish, utilizing their moisture content and gentle texture to clean and shine the wood.
- As a sound barrier, the dense foliage of heartleaf bergenia can be planted in mass to muffle noise in urban gardens.
- The robust nature of heartleaf bergenia makes it suitable for high-traffic areas in gardens as a ground cover that can withstand occasional stepping.
- In frosty climates, heartleaf bergenia leaves can be used as a natural ice pack as the leaves can retain cold temperatures for short periods of time.
- The plant can serve an educational purpose, being used in schools or educational workshops to demonstrate plant hardiness and adaptability.
- Heartleaf bergenia can be integrated into living walls or vertical gardens for aesthetic diversity due to its thick foliage and seasonal color changes.
- The autumnal leaf color change can serve as a bioindicator in a garden, signifying the change in seasons and the need to prepare for different gardening activities.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Bergenia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Bergenia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Tenacity: Bergenia, commonly known as 'Heartleaf Bergenia', often symbolizes tenacity due to its ability to withstand tough conditions and bounce back after being stepped on, reflecting resilience in adversity.
- Protection: With its large leaves that were traditionally used to cover wounds, Heartleaf Bergenia is associated with protection and healing.
- Endurance: The plant's capacity to endure cold weather by turning its leaves to a purplish hue when temperatures drop is indicative of endurance and adaptability to harsh environments.
- Long-lasting love: As a garden plant that remains visually striking across seasons, Heartleaf Bergenia can be symbolic of enduring love that withstands the test of time.
WaterHeartleaf Bergenia prefers consistently moist soil, especially during spring and summer growing seasons. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means watering once or twice a week, depending on climate conditions and soil type. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant, but do not let the soil dry out completely. It's important to avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf diseases; instead, water at the base of the plant. Each watering should consist of about 1-2 gallons, ensuring even soil moisture.
LightHeartleaf Bergenia thrives in partial shade to full sun. The ideal location would provide morning sunlight and afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, to protect the leaves from scorching. If planted indoors, an east or north-facing window is a suitable spot for this plant to receive the appropriate light levels.
TemperatureHeartleaf Bergenia is hardy and can withstand a range of temperatures. It can survive in temperatures as low as 0°F and as high as 85°F. However, the ideal temperature range for thriving growth is between 60°F and 75°F. It’s important to protect the plant from extreme heat and freeze.
PruningPrune Heartleaf Bergenia to remove spent flower stalks, damaged leaves, and promote a neat appearance. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts, and again after flowering, if necessary, to tidy up the plant. Remove only the damaged or old foliage and flower stalks, as the plant doesn't require heavy pruning. This also helps to encourage a second bloom and healthy growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilHeartleaf Bergenia thrives in a soil mix that is rich in organic matter with good drainage. A mix with equal parts garden soil, peat or compost, and perlite or sand works well. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.5.
RepottingHeartleaf Bergenia is not a fast-growing plant and does not require frequent repotting. It should be repotted every 3 to 4 years, or when the plant has outgrown its current pot.
Humidity & MistingHeartleaf Bergenia prefers average to high humidity levels but is adaptable to lower humidity conditions. It thrives best when the humidity is around 50% or higher, yet is quite resilient in less humid environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide filtered light and moist soil for Heartleaf Bergenia indoors.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade and enrich soil with compost for outdoor Heartleaf Bergenia.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleBergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea', commonly known as Heartleaf Bergenia or Pigsqueak, begins its life cycle when seeds are dispersed and germinate, typically requiring a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. The young seedlings develop a rosette of heart-shaped, leathery leaves that can persist through winter in milder climates. As the plant matures, it forms a clumping perennial base that expands slowly via short rhizomes. Throughout spring, thick flower stalks emerge, bearing clusters of bell-shaped purple flowers that attract pollinators and can help in seed production if not solely propagated by division. After flowering, the plant enters a period of vegetative growth, where it stores energy in its roots for the next season. Lastly, in the fall, the foliage may turn a bronze-purple color, adding seasonal interest before the plant goes into winter dormancy and the cycle begins anew with the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea', commonly known as Heartleaf Bergenia, is by division. This is best done in early spring or after the plant has flowered in the late summer or autumn. To propagate by division, gently lift the clump from the ground with a spade, ensuring you keep a good amount of roots on each section. Use a sharp knife to cut through the clump, ensuring that each division has at least one growth point or 'eye'. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing before and water them in well. This method allows for quick establishment of new plants and is an easy way for gardeners to increase their stock of Bergenia.
