favourite plant for May in Calgary: bergenia cordifolia

I can't let May go by without posting about my favourite plant of the month - bergenia!  This is one tough, beautiful plant.  It was one of the few perennials left growing in the neglected, overgrown garden I inherited when I moved into my current house - and that says a lot!  Also, it

• grows in sun or shade (although it wouldn't appreciate a baking hot spot),
• is a low maintenance ground cover (I've never had to weed my bergenia patch),
• greens up early in spring and turns reddish in fall, 
• has large, fleshy, paddle-shaped leaves that provide textural contrast with almost any other plant (try it with ornamental grasses!),
• and of course, has showy blooms in May.

If you've been thinking that you've needed something to give your garden a little oomph at this time of year, but want a low maintenance plant, try bergenia!

P.S. I have one friend who thinks the flowers are incredibly gaudy (hello Michael, are you reading this?)  Personally, that's what I appreciate at this time of year!  But I told him to keep the plant for the texture, and cut the flowers for bouquets for his wife since the flowers do well in vases, too!

Comments

[Paula]

My kids think that they are fun as they are also known as pig squeak. When you rub the leaves between your thumb and forefinger the sound is like piglets grunting!

[Calgary Garden Coach]

Charming! (my kids will love this!)
Janice