Bergenia ciliata ssp ciliata
27th March 2010
I have been meaning to grow this for many years. It has a reputation for being tender and is often seen
in cool greenhouses, but the first time I saw it was in a garden in Kent where it
seemed to be prospering. Stupidly, I was offered a piece at the time and declined it.
In the end, I bought it from Simon Bond (Thuya Alpines) and then wandered around the garden
looking for somewhere to plant it. Currently growing on a steep slope it has survived
a very testing winter and increased in size.
The species comes from Nepal, and has the largest leaves seen in the genus (and the hairiest).
There are a few selections starting to appear in cultivation.
If this one continues to prosper, I will try a some more.
The RHS have just completed a trial of Bergenia and no doubt there will be a report published on their site
before long.
18th September 2011
I haven't quite managed the spectacular leaves that the species is known for - there is a little too much competition.
When I have time I clear the vegetation around it but it grows back into the space faster than the Bergenia can manage.