Here’s a super showoff for your shade garden. Ripple Effect Pig Squeak, Bergenia, stands out in the landscape with its massive 13″ wide leaves. Large rosettes of leathery, oval, cabbage-like leaves form a thick, slowly spreading clump of glossy foliage. The elegant round leaves have serrated and wavy margins. White flowers appear in spring. It makes a spectacular specimen and adds a strong architectural effect in the shade. Unlike other Bergenia, it is not evergreen and will go completely dormant after the fall frost.

Bergenia can be used in a variety of ways in the landscape. It is most impressive in flower and setting off plants with ferny foliage. It can also be used in containers and rock gardens. It is quite effective at softening the hard edges of pavement and also works well as an edging or filler plant in the flower border.

Bergenia are reliable perennials that are deer and rabbit-resistant. Their leaves and flowers are wonderful in floral arrangements. Use Bergenia in shade and woodland gardens, as a thick ground cover, as edging, or in containers. It makes a spectacular show in mass plantings.

Plant in shade to part shade in soil that has been amended with organic matter.