Content
Bergenia cordifolia is a perennial herbaceous plant with decorative qualities and medicinal properties. This flower has become widespread because it adapts well to almost any climatic conditions. Every gardener can grow bergenia on his or her own plot if he follows a number of rules and practical recommendations.
Healing properties
Many varieties of bergenia cordifolia are used as raw materials for the manufacture of medicines. Moreover, the plant is used not only in folk medicine, but also in pharmaceuticals.
The beneficial properties of bergenia cordifolia are explained by the corresponding chemical composition. The rhizomes are of particular value. They contain tannins, fructose, ascorbic acid and vitamin A.
Preparations made from medicinal varieties of bergenia cordifolia have a hemostatic and anti-inflammatory effect. The plant also has a moderate hypotensive effect and reduces blood pressure.
Varieties with photos
Bergenia cordifolia in Latin is a low-growing, long-flowering plant. Appearance directly depends on the variety. Over 40 natural and hybrid types of bergenia are known. Below are the most popular among domestic gardeners.
Cordifolia (Bergenia Cordifolia)
This is a classic variety used in landscape design. The height of Bergenia Cordifolia bushes averages 40 cm. The name is associated with the characteristic shape of the foliage.
The flowering of bergenia cordifolia occurs in late May and early April and lasts 3 weeks
The color of the foliage depends on the planting location. In well-lit areas they are lighter in color, while in partial shade they can be dark green.
During the flowering period, numerous small bell-shaped flowers appear on the cordifolia bergenia. They are grouped, forming panicles at the end of elongated peduncles. Their number on one bush varies.
The decorative properties of the Cordifolia variety last throughout the season. After flowering, bergenia cordifolia bushes green up the area. The leaves retain color until early autumn, and then turn red. In this form they survive the entire winter.
Badan Rotblum
The bergenia variety Bergenia Cordifiola Rotblum (red flowering) is a low-growing perennial shrub. The height of the bush is 40 cm. It has soft round or heart-shaped dark green leaves. They are collected in a basal rosette on a leafless stem.
During the flowering period, bell-shaped pink flowers appear. Their diameter does not exceed 1 cm. They form shield-shaped, slightly inclined inflorescences. This variety usually blooms in May. But the flowering period can shift by 1-2 weeks and last up to 20 days.
In the shade, the heart-leaved bergenia Rotblum grows more slowly than in the sun
The presented variety tolerates cold well. In winter, the bush is covered with its own leaves, which protect the roots from freezing. Also, Rotblum cordifolia is resistant to short-term drought.
Red Star
This is a domestic variety of heart-leaved bergenia. Bush up to 50 cm high with long thick creeping stems. The leaves are leathery, dark green, slightly wavy at the edges. They retain color until the beginning of autumn, then begin to turn red.
Like other types of heart-leaved bergenia, the red star variety blooms in May. Carmine-pink bell-shaped flowers appear on the bushes, forming inclined racemes.
The Red Star variety blooms for up to 1 month
The variety is cold-resistant and not sensitive to diseases and pests. However, heart-leaved bergenia needs nutritious soil. It should be moist, but without stagnant liquid.
Gorgeous
Bergenia Cordifiola Red Beauty variety is an early flowering ornamental plant. They are actively used in landscape design when creating flower arrangements, as well as for single planting. Goes well with astilbes, daylilies, and aquilegias.
The height of the bushes is up to 50 cm. It has dense, dark green, heart-shaped leaves.
During the flowering period, the heart-leaved bergenia is covered with small red flowers forming panicles
Decorative properties are preserved even when the buds fade. The plant remains green until late autumn, provided that it is planted in a shaded area. It is not recommended to grow this variety in the sun, as it does not grow lush.
Baby Doll
The hybrid variety Bergenia Cardifolia Baby Doll is an unpretentious low-growing perennial. The bush has a developed root system, so it grows well in almost all types of soil. The stems of the heart-shaped bergenia Baby Dol are red.
This variety belongs to plants with early flowering. It usually starts in early May and continues until June. Inflorescences with soft pink flowers and bright red pre-flowers are formed on tall shoots.
The intensity of flowering of the variety depends on the moisture and acidity of the soil.
The presented heart-leaved variety does not require special attention. For full growth, it is necessary to ensure regular watering and also monitor the density of the soil.
Lilac Rose
The variety Bergenia cordifiola Lilac Rose got its name due to the corresponding color of the flowers. Height - from 30 to 45 cm. Before flowering, the bush is short and contains only a stem with a large number of large leathery dark green leaves. By autumn they turn red and remain that way all winter.
During the flowering period, heart-leaved bergenia is covered with lilac flowers with a red core, which are collected in thick brushes. The first buds open in mid-April. In some regions, flowering begins in May.
Heart bergenia Lilac Rose prefers shady areas with well-drained soil
The presented variety tolerates adverse weather conditions well. Only young specimens that have recently been transplanted into open ground need special care.
Autumn flower (Herbstblute)
A hybrid variety bred by German breeders. The Bergenia Cardifiola Herbstblute bergenia has a unique coloring. The leaves are dark green. Stems and pre-flowers are dark red. The flowers are pale pink, forming small racemes.
Flowering begins in June and lasts up to 4 weeks
The hybrid variety is not susceptible to diseases and pest attacks. The flower tolerates short-term drought well. Thanks to these advantages, this type of bergenia is often recommended for beginning gardeners.
Reproduction
Bergenia cordifolia has a developed root system. Therefore, adult specimens tolerate division well.
Procedure algorithm:
- Choose a healthy and mature bush.
- The bush is dug in from all sides.
- A root segment with 3 or more buds is separated.
- The delenka is planted in a new place, and the mother bush is buried.
Another propagation option is cuttings. A healthy, preferably young, shoot is separated from the plant. The buds are removed from it if they have already formed, as well as the side shoots. You can leave 1-2 small leaves.
The cuttings are placed in water for 7-10 days. During this period, the shoot should sprout. Subsequently, it is planted in a previously prepared container with soil.
Growing heart-leaved bergenia from seeds
To plant rare varieties, seedlings are first sown. To do this, use nutritious, well-moistened garden soil. You can also use separate seedling cassettes for these purposes.
A good option for sowing bergenia seeds is peat cups and pots
Sowing seeds:
- Soak the planting material in a solution of potassium permanganate.
- Fill the seedling container with soil.
- Make 5 mm recesses.
- Place the seeds inside at a distance of 5-6 mm.
- Spray with a spray bottle.
- Cover the container with film.
Seedlings should be kept at a temperature of 16-18 degrees in a room with moderate air humidity. In such conditions, the seeds of bergenia cordifolia germinate in 4 weeks.
Shoots with three leaves need to be pruned. They are placed in separate containers and are no longer covered with film.
Landing
Transferring seedlings to open ground is not difficult even for novice gardeners. To do this, just follow the instructions.
When to plant
Sowing seeds for seedlings is usually carried out in early spring. Transplanting seedlings into the ground can be done at the end of May or in June.
Some varieties of bergenia begin to bloom in winter
Experienced gardeners recommend transferring seedlings to open ground in August. At the same time, the largest leaves should be removed from it so that they do not waste nutrients from the soil. With this planting, the bush will immediately begin to take root and will have time to adapt to the new place before the onset of cold weather.
Planting site and soil preparation
Bergenia cordifolia is not demanding on growing conditions.It does well in almost all types of soil, provided they meet several criteria:
- looseness;
- breathability;
- moderate humidity;
- neutral acidity.
The composition of the soil is not of fundamental importance. It can be sandy or clayey. Most varieties of bergenia do not need large amounts of nutrients. However, when planting, it is recommended to add organic matter to fertilize the flower during the period of adaptation to new conditions.
The plant is best planted in partial shade. In the sun, leaves and stems may wilt without additional watering. In the shade, the bush often slows down its growth, which is why it looks less beautiful.
How to plant
Planting is carried out in accordance with simple instructions. First you need to prepare convenient garden tools and work gloves to protect your hands.
Landing algorithm:
- Dig holes 25-30 cm deep.
- Place river sand or crushed stone at the bottom as drainage.
- Add a layer of garden soil mixed with compost and peat.
- Place the seedling with the root ball in the hole.
- Cover it with soil.
- Water.
For 1 sq. m area it is recommended to plant no more than 6 plants. The distance between them should be at least 20 cm.
Care
For normal growth and regular flowering, a minimum set of activities is required. Bergenia cordifolia is unpretentious, so it can remain for a long time without care.
Periodically required:
- weed removal;
- watering;
- pruning;
- loosening the soil;
- pest control.
Such procedures will not make it difficult even for novice gardeners. The main rule is that all activities must be timely.
Watering and fertilizing
The plant does not need a lot of liquid.In spring and early summer it does not need to be watered frequently. The volume of water should be increased only on dry days. Moisturize 1-2 times a week.
All varieties of bergenia react negatively to stagnation of water in the soil
It is recommended to fertilize the plant in the spring. Compost, humus or peat are added to the soil next to the flower. In summer, tree bark, sawdust or dry leaves can be used as fertilizer, which act as mulch and retain moisture.
Pruning and preparation for winter
In autumn, when the leaves begin to fall, the flower stalks need to be removed from the plant. At the bottom the shoots are preserved. It is also not recommended to trim the foliage, since the plant is covered with it before the onset of cold weather.
Most varieties of heart-leaved bergenia are winter hardy. However, young plants are best protected from frost under a layer of straw, dry leaves, or pine needles. The use of film material is allowed, provided that it is breathable.
Diseases and pests
Some varieties are susceptible to ramularia. The pathology is accompanied by leaf spotting. The affected parts of the plant must be removed. The remaining bush is treated with a fungicide to prevent relapse.
Common pests of bergenia include nematodes and pennies. To prevent damage, it is recommended to spray the bushes with insecticides for preventive purposes. It is carried out in the spring. Treatment is also carried out when signs of damage appear.
Why doesn't it bloom
There are a number of reasons why flower stalks on bergenia do not set. Because of this, flowering does not occur and the plant remains green until the end of the season.
Main reasons:
- lack of sunlight;
- the plant is grown from seeds;
- the bush was recently replanted;
- specimens are planted close to each other;
- presence of diseases.
If there is no flowering, the cause must be identified and eliminated. Then the plant will be able to fully perform its decorative function, decorating the site.
Conclusion
Bergenia cordifolia is a perennial that is unpretentious and easy to care for. Numerous varieties of this plant are actively used in landscape design to create flower arrangements. The plant tolerates any weather conditions well and is not picky about the composition of the soil. Therefore, it is ideal for beginners and experienced gardeners.
