Bergenia

Synonyms: Megasea Haw.

Bergenia (Bergenia Moench) – a genus of perennial plants of the Saxifragaceae family. The Latin name was given in honor of the German botanist Carl August von Bergen in 1794. It was first described by the German botanist Conrad Moench in his Methodus (p. 664) in 1794. In cultivation since the mid-18th century.

Автор С.Черенков

In nature it is found in the temperate climate of Asia from Central Asia and Afghanistan to China and Korea.

They are evergreen perennials, rarely annual herbaceous plants 6-35 cm high. Rhizome creeping, thick, scaly, slightly branched, located almost on the soil surface. Flowering stems leafless, thick, branched, rising above the level of the leaves.

Автор В.Гуменюк (лист в осенней окраске)

Leaves are gathered in a basal rosette, evergreen, petiolate, large, rounded, elliptical or ovate in shape, cordate at the base, entire or finely toothed, gland-dotted, thick, glossy. Petioles are firm, sheathingly broadened at the base.

Автор Г.Чуланова

Flowers are positioned horizontally or directed upwards, less often nodding, arranged in terminal, crowded, massive paniculate-corymbose inflorescences. The perianth forms a distinct floral tube (hypanthium). The corolla is bell-shaped, pink, less often white or red. There are 5 sepals. Petals are rounded, oblong-elliptic or obovate in shape, equal in number to the sepals. Stamens short, in number 10. Ovary inferior, two- or three-loculed. Blooms in spring - early summer.

Fruits – capsules with numerous small dark-brown seeds.

Species: the genus includes 10 species (according to Wikipedia):

• Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. — fringed bergenia
• Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch — thick-leaved bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia — heartleaf bergenia, Bergenia pacifica Kom. — Pacific bergenia) - type species
• Bergenia emeiensis C.Y.Wu ex J.T.Pan
• Bergenia hissarica Boriss.
• Bergenia pacumbis (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) C.Y.Wu & J.T.Pan
• Bergenia purpurascens (Hook.f. & Thomson) Engl. (Bergenia delavayi (Franch.) Engl. — Delavay's bergenia)
• Bergenia scopulosa T.P.Wang
• Bergenia stracheyi (Hook.f. & Thomson) Engl.
• Bergenia tianquanensis J.T.Pan
• Bergenia ugamica V.N.Pavlov — Ugam bergenia.

Cold hardiness: -26°C. High resistance of generative buds to frost, as well as high resistance of flowers to spring frosts (-8°C).

Site: shade-tolerant, grows well in light shade or partial shade. When planted in full sun leaves may scorch. Moisture-loving, drought-tolerant, but grows better in soil with adequate moisture. Not demanding regarding soil fertility, grows on any garden soil. One of the most undemanding plants. Achieves greatest decorative effect on well-drained and aerated, light and sufficiently fertile loamy soil.

Planting: does not tolerate transplanting well.

Pruning: In spring it is recommended to remove dry last year's leaves.

Care: practically requires no care.

Diseases and pests: resistant to diseases and pests. Leaves may be affected by the vine weevil.

Propagation: by seeds, division of the clump, root suckers. Division of the clump is carried out in early September once every 5-6 years, preferably once every 10 years. Seeds are sown in early spring in open ground at the permanent location or in March in special boxes; planted out into open ground in June. Seedlings grow slowly, require protection, flower in 3-4 years after sowing.

Uses: looks impressive on woodland edges, clearings, meadow plots, banks of ponds, streams, rock gardens, single-species groups on lawns, and in borders. Decorative from early spring to late autumn due to its ornamental leaf shape, color and form, and attractive inflorescences. Overwintered leaves can be brewed as tea.