Elephant's ears

Bergenia 'Overture'

Elephant's ears - Bergenia  'Overture'

Common Name: Elephant's ears
Genus: Bergenia
Cultivar: 'Overture'

Category: Groundcover Plants

Height: 0.30 m (30 cm)
Spread: 0.45 m (45 cm)

Soil Moisture: Dry, well drained


  • Position: full sun or partial shade
  • Soil: any soil
  • Rate of growth: average to fast
  • Flowering period: March to May
  • Hardiness: fully hardy

    Commonly known as 'elephant's ears' because of their large leathery oval leaves, bergenias have become fashionable again thanks both to the number of new cultivars that have become widely available and to their usefulness in the garden. Bergenias are low maintenance, evergreen, and will grow in sun or shade and tolerate a wide range of soils including dry soils and clay. They make lovely edging plants, their huge leaves contrasting with the delicate fronds of ferns (in shade) or the tiny leaves of thymes (in sun). This variety has striking magenta flowers held high on scarlet stems above the foliage in mid spring. A cold snap in winter will turn the leaves from deep green to a rich claret.

  • Garden care: After flowering remove faded flowerheads. Cut off damaged foliage in spring. Lift and divide large clumps in early spring.


Similar Plants:


Elephant's ears  - Bergenia  'Abendglut' (syn. Evening Glow)

Elephant's ears
Bergenia 'Abendglut' (syn. Evening Glow)

Elephant's ears - Bergenia  'Bressingham White'

Elephant's ears
Bergenia 'Bressingham White'

Elephant's ears - Bergenia cordifolia

Elephant's ears
Bergenia cordifolia