moving bergenia plants

If you absolutely have to transplant and divide bergenia in the summer months, it is best to do it on a cool, cloudy day to reduce the risk of transplant shock. Using a clean, sharp spade, dig widely around the plant's crown to make sure you get all the roots. Once you have lifted the root ball out, remove excess soil.

How do I transplant Bergenia?

You will need to divide your bergenia about every four years. About that time you will notice that the plants have become open in the center. Wait until spring to lift the clumps, then with a sharp knife, cut the thick stems apart to divide the plant and replant.

How do you split Bergenia?

Propagating Bergenia

Propagate by sowing seed in the spring or by division from late spring (after flowering) to early autumn. Divide by lifting congested clumps and teasing away rooted sections of rhizome, to form new plants. Replant immediately in the flowering position.

Should Bergenia be cut back in the fall?

Deadhead the spent blooms by snipping off the spikes once the flowers brown and begin to fall off. Remove any dead, brown leaves you find through the summer as part of your Bergenia plant care, but don't chop off the plant in the fall. ... Bergenia is a slow grower, and only needs dividing once every three to five years.

How do you propagate Bergenia UK?

Division of Bergenia

Separate a long rhizome from the plant with a sharp knife, being sure each division has a rosette, several healthy roots, and a rhizome measuring at least 6 inches (15 cm.) in length. Remove large leaves to reduce water loss, then plant the division with the rhizome just under the soil.

Is Bergenia a perennial?

Bergenia tolerates a wide range of lighting conditions, but part shade to full shade suit it best. Although this evergreen perennial grows well in average, well-drained soil, moist humus-rich soil provides maximum growth and bloom power.

What can be planted with Bergenia?

Combine bergenia with other pretty foliage choices, like coral bells and Japanese painted fern. Bergenia plants will grow in any commercial potting soil in a pot with a diameter of at least 12 inches.

How do you move plants without killing them?

Lay a piece of polythene by the side of the plant or shrub. Then dig widely around the base, trying not to damage the root system too much. Get as much of the root ball out as you possibly can. Push a spade well underneath the root ball, then carefully lift the whole plant onto the polythene.

How do you divide penstemon?

Divide penstemon in early spring by digging up a mature, 3-5 year old clump. Cut apart the root structure with pruning shears, making sure each division has plenty of roots. Plant the divisions back in the garden and water well.

What perennials should not be cut back in the fall?

Don't cut back marginally hardy perennials like garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria), and Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum).

When should I cut down my perennials?

In late fall, once all of your perennials have started to turn brown and die back, it's time to prune some and leave some to cut back in spring.

How do you get Bergenia to flower?

Planting bergenia

Plant bergenia in fall to have it blooming during the month of December. It is also possible to plant in spring if you're able to water regularly at the beginning. A sun-endowed spot in winter is crucial for your bergenia to bloom.

Is Bergenia an evergreen?

Native to Siberia, Bergenia cordifolia (Heartleaf Bergenia) is a clump-forming evergreen perennial noted for its incredible hardiness and vigor. Borne on thick red stems in early spring, erect clusters of deep-pink flowers rise above a rosette of leathery, shiny, heart-shaped leaves.

How do you divide plants?

Dividing plants with fibrous or spreading roots like this daylily is easy. Dig up the whole clump and pull or cut the root ball apart. Or just dig out a chunk along the edge, if you don't mind a gap in your plant for a season. When dividing, leave at least one set of leaves attached to the main root and replant.

Can you grow Bergenia from seed?

When planting Bergenia seeds directly outdoors it is best to sow out the seeds on the surface in the early spring; Bergenia seeds require a period of cold for germination so it is important to sow outside before the last frost. ... Press the small seeds into the compost but do not cover as they need light to germinate.

Is Bergenia poisonous to dogs?

Elephant ears, Bergenia

Eating the leaves or flowers of elephants' ears can cause burning, irritation and swelling of the mouth and throat. If your dog's tongue swells enough to block its air passage it could die.

Do slugs eat Bergenia?

Plants that slugs hate

As well as those with tough leaves or woody stems that slugs find difficult to chew. The robust lacy fronds of shade-loving ferns and thick leaves of Geranium, Bergenia (Elephant's ears) and Saxifraga × urbium (London pride) are all too thick for slugs to sink their teeth into.

Can you grow Bergenia in pots?

They are hardy down to far lower temperatures than even the coldest parts of the UK will ever encounter, -20°C or lower is not a problem for Bergenias. They can be grown in containers but this not their ideal environment and does not frame them particularly well.

What is eating my Bergenia leaves?

Vine weevil; belonging to the saxifrage family, bergenias along with those other vine weevil favourites, heuchera, are prone to both adult vine weevils damaging the foliage and their grubs eating the roots. Again regular tidying up of old foliage and growing in an open, sunny site will help limit the damage.

How do you treat Bergenia cordifolia?

Cultivation Best grown in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in sun or partial shade. Dislikes hot, dry conditions but tolerates poor soil and exposed sites.

Will deer eat Bergenia?

The Bergenia Cordifolia Winter Glow can be used as a groundcover that can resist both deer and rabbits because of its tough, leathery leaves. The Bergenia produces magenta pink flowers in April through May that can reach up to 18 inches tall. The perennial does well in part shade to shade garden area.