Bergenia 'Winter Glow'

Every shade border should include 'Winter Glow'! Not only is the species B. cordifolia fascinating and useful in itself, but this cultivar adds even more extraordinary color to an already very attractive and useful plant.

The foliage on this plant is very thick -- it will remind you of a succulent -- and bright green, except in fall and winter, when it turns bright, almost glowing shades of bronze and scarlet. The color is nothing short of eye-popping, especially in the bleak winter landscape, when little color except gray and brown is present in the garden. Stunning!

But the color changes on these large, leathery, evergreen leaves are only one of the merits of 'Winter Glow.' This plant also blooms, often twice a year! It can be relied upon for a good show of rosy-pink blooms, held just above the foliage, in spring. But often it tosses in an autumn encore as well!

Both the blooms and the leaves make long-lasting cuts for indoor arrangements, though you will love the color so much in the partly shaded border that you may have trouble cutting even a little bit. No need to fret, though -- this plant has plenty more where that came from!

For all of this talk of giant leaves, 'Winter Glow' is just 12 to 15 inches high and 12 inches wide. But it makes a far bigger impression than its size would suggest. Deer and rabbits leave it alone, dry shade and coastal spray do not bother it, and in general it is impervious to changes in soil and weather. Why can't all plants be more like it?

Grow 'Winter Glow' among your Hostas, Ferns, and Lamium. It is a good companion to other perennials as well as shrubs in the border. You simply can't go wrong with this one! Zones 3-8.