Bergenia is a large, glossy evergreen, hebacious perennial native to shady north-facing rocks, stony slopes, and rock streams in the forest and alpine zones of China and Siberia. It is a low-growing plant to a foot high with leaves produced in spreading clumps of 2 to 3 feet and makes a lovely ground cover in shady areas. However, it can be slow to spread. Although it is considered drought-tolerant, the leaves will dry out if the soil is allowed to remain dry for an extended period. Considered to be evergreen in more temperate areas of the country, it will sustain winter damage in northern areas. The common name pigsqueek comes into play when rubbing a leaf between your fingers and producing a sound much like the animals' squeal. The genus name honors Karl August von Bergen (1704-1759), a German physician and botanist and the specific epithet comes from the Latin words crassus meaning thick and folia meaning leaf in reference to the leathery leaves. Bergenia grows best in moist organic soil, but tolerates sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It can grow in full shade or full sun and can tolerate drought. It will do best sited in a position sheltered from cold drying winds and from the early morning sun. The leaf colour is best when plants are grown in a poor soil in a sunny position. The plant typically blooms from March to May; however, when grown in the southernmost areas, it can bloom as early as December. The roots, leaves, and stems contain tannin in different percentages. Tannin is used in the production of leather and ink and is also an ingredient of tea. The leaves of this plant are used as a tea substitute and give it the common name, Siberian Tea. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or plant problems. Remove all damaged foliage in late winter to early spring. Promptly remove spent flowering stems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Obovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Large, 8 by 7 inch glossy evergreen leaves produced in spreading clumps. Leaves are leathery, fine-toothed, obovate-rounded.
Fall color
Brown/Copper
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Lavender pink flowers bloom through spring in panicles atop rigid leafless stalks rising to 18" tall. Individual flowers are small, but mass together atop the stalks. Flowers will bloom as early in warm winter climates.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
The fruit is an ellipsoidal, dry capsule with two diverging lobes opening along the abdominal suture. Seeds are numerous, oblong, smooth, and black.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Leafless stems up to 18" tall are topped with panicles of blooms in the spring.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
East Asia, Northwest China, Siberia to North Korea
Distribution
Central Europe and Great Britain
Play value
Attractive Flowers
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
The leaves are used as a tea substitute.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Rock Wall; Slope/Bank; Walkways; Woodland