Bergenia Rotblum (Elephants Ears)

Bergenia ‘Rotblum’ (Elephant’s Ears) is a clump-forming evergreen perennial boasting erect clusters of rosy-red flowers atop thick red stems in early-mid spring. They rise above a rosette of leathery, shiny, wavy-edged leaves. Deep green in spring and summer, the large leaves turn bronze-red in fall and winter, providing year-round interest.

Bergenia 'Rotblum' (Elephant's Ears) is a clump-forming evergreen perennial boasting erect clusters of rosy-red flowers atop thick red stems in early-mid spring. They rise above a rosette of leathery, shiny, wavy-edged leaves. Deep green in spring and summer, the large leaves turn bronze-red in fall and winter, providing year-round interest. The attractive foliage is often used in floral arrangements. Low maintenance and easy to grow, it makes a wonderful ground cover or specimen. Use in mass, in containers, on banks, in front of the border, or in mixed beds.

  • Grows up to 10-15 in. tall (25-37 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm).
  • Easily grown in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils in sun or part shade. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including poor soils, but dislikes hot, dry conditions. Heavy shade tolerant.
  • Undemanding and virtually disease-free, this Bergenia is a welcomed addition to beds and borders, banks and slopes, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, or city gardens. Great as a ground cover.
  • Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, vine weevils, and caterpillars. Deer and rabbit resistant.
  • Remove faded flower spikes
  • Propagate by division or root rhizomes sections in fall or spring

Requirements

Hardiness 4
– 9

Heat Zones 1
– 8

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Bergenia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid)FallWinter
Height 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spread 10"
– 1'
(25cm
– 30cm)
Spacing 12″ (30cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden