Bergenia cordifolia

‘Showtime’

WHITE WINTER BERGENIAS

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Showtime’
WHITE WINTER BERGENIAS

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Showtime’ is indispensable “must have” for shaded or sunny gardens; anywhere where the going is tough; or where you need winter colour.

Indispensable “must have” for shade & tough conditions

Bergenias are the ultimate low maintenance plant and virtually pest and disease free.
As they are incredibly tough, and almost indestructible in a wide range of conditions, including heavy shade.

Large trusses of snowy white blooms

‘Showtime’ plants have large trusses of snowy white blooms.
Plus the blooms are long lasting in the garden and unfazed by bad weather.

Repeat blooming with autumn & spring flowers

Bergenia cordifolia ‘Showtime’ has been specially bred to deliver flowers in both spring and autumn, over two long blooming seasons.
So out blooming most other Bergenias.

Handsome evergreen foliage

Bergenias are also well loved for their brilliant winter foliage colours, as much as for their showy flower trusses.
Bergenia leaves are evergreen, broad, rounded, shiny, leathery and handsome.
So giving the plants the common names of “Elephant’s Ears” or “Heartleaf”.

With brilliant winter foliage colours

During the summer leaves are glossy emerald green, as if they have been polished.
But as the nights cool into winter they really put on a show and the leaves display a vivid range of colours.
From burgundy, wine, chocolate and pinks – to orange, bronze, red and russet tones, with lovely transitions as the weather changes.
So the foliage glows with colour right through late autumn, winter and into spring.

Loved by florists

Florists love to use handsome Bergenia leaves in arrangements, especially in the winter  when their vivid colours shine.
The white flowers are also long-lasting in vases, and ideal for bridal arrangements.

Winter support for bees, butterflies & pollinators 

Bergenia flowers provide excellent nectar supply for bees, butterflies and other handy pollinators.

Super groundcover in hard spots or making a tough edge

Mass planted Bergenias make a brilliant groundcover or neat border edge.
And they are the “go-to” solution for problem areas with heavy shade; tough or poor soil; root competition; or hard frosts (or even all of the above).
I love them as solid edging under big trees, as they block out the weeds and resist the scratching of our resident Blackbirds.

Unpalatable for bunnies & deer

While no plant is completely immune to a starving critter, Bergenia are considered to have a high resistance to rabbits and deer under normal conditions.
The munching pests find the leathery, thick, shiny leaves unpalatable, and hop along to tastier fare.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: EASY

Suits beginners & gardening with kids.

Sow seeds of Bergenia cordifolia ‘Showtime’ at any time of year indoors when suitable temperatures can be provided (22-25°C).
OR
Sow directly in the garden in autumn or winter – to allow the cold of winter to chill the sown seeds.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Now gently pat the seeds to the surface of the raising mix to ensure good contact.
But do not cover the seeds with mix, as these seeds need light to germinate.

Then stand the sown punnet in a shallow water bath and allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below, to thoroughly moisten the mix.

Give a pretend winter

Now wrap the moist, sown punnet in cling-wrap, or a clip lock bag, and place in the fridge (not the freezer) for 14 days. Mark the punnet with the date when you should bring it out.
(You can also save fridge room by placing the seed directly into a clip-lock bag with a small amount of  fine-sieved, moist, seed raising mix. Then after the period of chilling in the fridge, you can sow the entire contents of the bag onto the surface of a punnet of seed raising mix).

After the period of chilling – moisten the punnet again, and place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight).
You can use a temperature controlled heat mat if you have one.
But it is not essential as these seeds are willing germinators.
A warm, well lit position is suitable when temperatures are suitable.

Temperatures of 22-25°C are best for rapid and optimum germination.

Then continue to keep the sown punnet moist by misting from a spray water-bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover or plastic bag will also help to maintain the necessary consistent, even moisture.

Seedlings begin to emerge in approx. 21-42 days.
* Please note it is normal for Bergenia seeds to stagger their germination. So some will come more quickly, while others will be slower. This is a natural defensive mechanism of the plant.
Be patient – do not discard the punnet too quickly.

Seed Count: 12 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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