Bergenia is a great plant to grow for its beautiful flowers and glossy greenery. Bergenia is commonly known as pigsqueak or elephant’s ears. This plant is easy to grow and has fewer problems with pests too. Bergenia is also deer resistant and non-poisonous to dogs and cats. All these things make bergenia a great plant in your garden.
When it comes to the bergenia companion plants, there are quite a lot of plants that can be planted together. If you are looking for what to plant with bergenia, then this article is for you.
Table of Contents
Tips on finding companions for bergenia
To choose the best companion plants for bergenia, you need to understand bergenia. Plants that go well with bergenia will have similar requirements and conditions.
- Bergenia are medium size plants. They grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) wide and high (depending on the variety).
- They prefer partial shade or full shade. Planting under the full sun is not recommended. Frequent watering is needed if planted under full sun.
- Bergenia grows best in loamy and rich soil. But they can grow in clay soil too. Soil PH should be neutral to slightly acidic.
- Bergenia need evenly moist soil. So, regular watering is required, especially in hot climates.
- Bergenia is not a heavy feeder. It does not require additional fertilizers. Amend the soil with lots of compost before planting. It will provide all the nutrients bergenia needs.
Best places to plant bergenia in the garden
Bergenia can be incorporated into different places in the garden. They are usually planted in the perennial shade flower bed.
Bergenia is also a great addition to your vegetable garden. While bergenia has no special ability in the vegetable garden, they can attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Plant bergenia on the borders of your vegetable garden. They get quite large, so plan before planting.
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Bergenia (also known as pigsqueak and elephant’s ears) is a beautiful flowering plant. Bergenia is …
Bergenia companion plants
Finally, we arrived at the list of bergenia companion plants. Here, I have picked six of the best plants that go well with bergenia.
1. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Coral bells are probably the best bergenia companion plant. It is a very attractive and colorful plant that you can grow in your garden. Both flowers and leaves of coral bells are really beautiful.
- Comes in shades of red, pink, purple, green, and gold. Gives a really good contrast with bergenia leaves.
- Shade-loving plant. Coral bells are suitable for both partial and full shade.
- Need a lot of water. Just like bergenia, coral bells prefer moist soil. Never let coral bells dry out.
- Coral bells attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
- Requires less maintenance.
- Relatively deer-resistant plant.
Coral bells are about the same size as bergenia. So, you can plant them along with bergenia without a problem.
Varieties to try:
- Autumn Leaves
- Green Spice
- Marmalade
2. Astilbe (False goat’s beard)
Astilbe is another great companion plant for bergenia. It has gorgeous flowers that will live on the plant for a long time. Astilbe is an evergreen plant in zone 7 or lower and you can leave the plant in the winter for winter interest. The flowers remain attractive even when they are dry.
- Astilbe flowers come in red, white, pink, and purple colors. Adds color to your shade flower bed all year long.
- Mostly pest free and needs low maintenance.
- Needs a lot of water. Keep the soil moist on sunny and warm days.
- Relatively deer-resistant perennial. Probably need some protection until it gets large.
- Best planted in partial shade. It needs some sunlight to bloom.
Astilbe is a large shrub. It gets about 24 inches tall and 60 inches wide. Don’t forget to give adequate space when planting them.
Varieties to try:
- Bridal Veil
- Purple Candle
- Rheinland
3. Hostas
Hostas are also a good companion plant for bergenia. It can tolerate full shade, unlike many other plants. Hostas need little to no maintenance. Hostas are mainly grown for their foliage. But they also flower in late spring or summer. You have to try hostas if you haven’t grown them already.
- Tolerates full shade.
- Needs moist soil. But once established, they can tolerate some dry conditions. Not drought-tolerant though.
- Comes back year after year.
- There are hundreds of hostas varieties to choose from. There’s something for everyone.
- Hostas are generally a trouble-free plant.
Hostas come in different sizes and shapes. Some of the large hostas can be large as much as 48 inches tall and 60 inches wide. So, be careful when choosing them. Choose the right variety for your space.
Hostas are toxic to pets. Be careful when growing them if you have dogs or cats.
Varieties to try:
- Golden Tiara
- Patriot
- Elegans
- Blue Mouse Ears
4. Geranium
Geranium is another good bergenia companion plant you should try. This plant is not a shade plant. It needs full sun access. Geranium comes in different sizes and most of them are leggy bushes. Geraniums are easy to grow and need no special attention from the gardener.
- Needs full sun.
- Tolerates a wide range of soils, even poor soils.
- Drought tolerant when established.
Varieties to try:
- Candy Fantasy Kiss
- Calliope Dark Red
- Allure Pink Picotee
- Daredevil Orchid
- Elegance Imperial
5. Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Lungwort is another shade-loving plant that is perfect as a bergenia companion plant. This plant is an evergreen or herbaceous perennial which is native to Europe and Western Asia. Lungwort has flowers but they fade away quickly. So, this plant is mainly grown for its foliage.
- Prefers partial or full shade. Give lungwort a little sunlight to encourage blooms. Full sun will burn the leaves and wilt the plant.
- Prefers moist soil. Wet or dry soil is not suitable for this plant. Water only when the soil is dry. Drainage is important.
- Lungwort grows best in loamy and rich soil. This plant is highly sensitive to soil PH levels. The ideal PH level is between 7.0 and 8.0.
- Additional fertilizer is not necessary if you add compost when planting. Otherwise, add well-balanced fertilizer in early spring.
Varieties to try:
- Excalibur
- Smokey Blue
- Majeste
- Blue Ensign
- Raspberry Splash
6. Brunnera
Brunnera is the last on our list of best bergenia companion plants. This plant is a rhizomatous perennial plant that is native to Eastern Europe and North West Asia. Brunnera is famous for its beautiful bright blue flowers. These are really beautiful and you should definitely grow brunnera.
- Can take full sun and partial or full shade. But prefers shade.
- Needs moist soil. This plant does not tolerate dry soils.
- Brunnera likes rich soil. Add compost and animal manure to the soil before planting.
Varieties to try:
- Jack Frost
- Queen of Hearts
- Diane’s Gold
- Looking Glass
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Last update on 2024-05-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
