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Bergenia 'Wintermarchen'

elephant's ears (syn. Winter Fairy)

5 year guarantee RHS award of garden merit Perfect for pollinators New
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Bright and cheerful, this compact perennial brings life to the garden when most plants are still waking up. Its small, glossy leaves sit close to the ground, turning from rich green in summer to a striking red-purple as the winter months bite, creating instant colour even in duller spots.

From late winter, upright clusters of pale pink to deeper salmon flowers rise above the foliage on sturdy red stems, offering a gentle contrast against the vibrant leaves. Bergenia 'Wintermarchen' is tough enough to shrug off frost and stands its ground through chilly spells, making it perfect for a low-maintenance display.

Reaching around 20-30cm (8-12in) in foliage height, with flowers stretching up to 50cm (20in), it works brilliantly as ground cover, thriving in both sun and shade. This evergreen beauty prefers moist, humus-rich soil but adapts well to most conditions, rewarding your care with long-lasting structure and winter interest. Its combination of early flowers, glossy leaves, and winter hardiness has earned it an RHS Award of Garden Merit, proving it’s as reliable as it is charming.

How to care for Bergenia Wintermarchen:

Plant in a sunny or partially shaded spot with a scoop of organic matter such as well-rotted or bagged compost. Water in well, and keep the area moist until the plant is well established.

After flowering remove faded flowerheads, and snip off any tatty or old leaves as and when necessary. Mulch annually to promote growth, and lift and divide large clumps in early spring.
Flowering period:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Eventual height:
0.5m
Eventual spread:
0.4m
Position:

Full sun / light shade / shade

Rate of growth:

Average

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

Fully hardy

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Melcourt RHS Sylvagrow multi-purpose peat-free compost

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