![Top Ten Bergenias](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387284923/1679917324/articles/XmIcmj9oy1679977447794/TOP-TEN BERGENIAS.jpg)
SOMETIMES, ‘ground cover’ sounds rather dull. It seems to describe a plant that is effective and functional, but has little else going for it. It covers the ground, smothering and suppressing weeds – end of story. Not with bergenias, oh no.
These plants are among our most valuable hardy perennials. Combining bold, usually evergreen foliage, for which the common name of ‘elephant’s ears’ is, for once, very apt with prolific spring flowers, bergenias would be worth growing if they suppressed no weeds at all!
Bergenias for flowers
Bergenia flowers are like small bells, about ¾in (2cm) across, clustered at the tops of the rather fleshy stems in spring and early summer. In some, the dark bud scales create an attractive contrast with the petals.
Reaching from about 8-20in (20-50cm) in height, the flowers vary from pure-white, through blushed tones, to pinks, and to richer reddish and purple shades. Morning frosts may cause the stems to droop, but they usually stand up by midday.
Bergenias for foliage
The bold, slightly wrinkled, broadly rounded, rather leathery leaves are rich and shining green in summer, but in winter many develop impressive colouring, from deep bronzed-red or purple through to more vivid reds or, perhaps, the upper leaf surfaces green and the undersides richly coloured. There are also one or two variegated varieties. The very best bergenia varieties combine good winter foliage with colourful spring flowers.
6 award-winning bergenias
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 01, 2023 من Amateur Gardening.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 01, 2023 من Amateur Gardening.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
![To dig or not to dig?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/srY9Bgqgg1696077695176/TO-DIG-OR-NOT-TO-DIG.jpg)
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
![The box ball blues](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/MSiW9S-3s1696077564674/THE-BOX-BALL-BLUES.jpg)
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
![Save your own seeds](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/gxMCpsinZ1696077466987/SAVE-YOUR-OWN-SEEDS.jpg)
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
![Strange sightings](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/ddasMklZP1696077318893/STRANGE-SIGHTINGS.jpg)
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
![A bolt from the blue!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/7nMhGuBLn1696077232526/A-BOLT-FROM-THE-BLUE.jpg)
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
![Winter moth prevention](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/uaMLSKKf61696077078880/WINTER-MOTH-PREVENTION.jpg)
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
![Create a winter container](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/Jd1C8L2Ax1696076912753/CREATE-A-WINTER-CONTAINER.jpg)
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
![Lightweight gardening tools](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/2M8ifxUcL1696076768203/LIGHTWEIGHT-GARDENING-TOOLS.jpg)
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
![Autumn price round-up](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/8CDp1hNq-1696076665397/AUTUMN-PRICE-ROUNDUP.jpg)
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
![Rudbeckias](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/n0XuNlGYP1696073214532/RUDBECKIAS.jpg)
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters