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ROSE PIGSQUEAK
Bergenia cordifolia ‘Shoeshine Rose’
Bergenia cordifolia ‘Shoeshine Rose’ is a recent and very worthy addition to the ever-useful Bergenia family.
Recent worthy release
‘Shoeshine Rose’ has glowing, deep rose-pink flowers tightly clustered in heads, on strong, 25cm. stems.
Glowing deep-rose pink flowers
The blooms are intensely coloured and show so well above the thick carpets of shiny, decorative foliage.
Cheery colour in winter
But what makes Bergenia cordifolia ‘Shoeshine Rose’ very special is the show of brilliant colour displayed in the foliage over the cold of winter.
When the leaves colour vivid plums, purples, plums and reds, and they simply revel in frost.
The flowers are lovely but it is really all about the foliage
The leaves of Bergenia cordifolia ‘Shoeshine Rose’ remain evergreen all year, but really become a wonderful feature in winter.
During the warm months the handsome heart shaped leaves are deep green, glossy, and leathery tough. They form neat handsome rosettes all year round.
Bergenias are renowned for their toughness and hardiness in far from ideal conditions.
Tough & tolerant of a wide range of conditions
A part shade to full shade position is best though not essential.
Bergenia are very hardy, and often chosen for dry shade or deep shade gardens, where they cope extremely well under big old trees and shrubs.
However, they are tough enough to also grow in sun, though the leaves will not be as large or lush, and may scorch. They much prefer shade in hot areas, where they can tolerate periods of dry very well.
Forgiving & easy to grow
Bergenia cordifolia ‘Shoeshine Rose’ accepts a wide range of soils, including poor soil.
It is happy in soils from sandy to clay, with pH from acid to alkaline lime.
Prime performance is in humus rich soil with average, normal moisture, but ‘Shoeshine Rose’ really won’t mind much if you cannot provide.
‘Shoeshine Rose’ is a wise choice for seaside and coastal gardens, as the leathery, waxy leaves make them tolerant of salt laden winds.
Water-wise plants
Bergenia are not thirsty plants and can tolerate periods of dry very well because they have such fleshy, robust root systems to store water and nutrients effectively.
Tough weed suppressing ground-cover
Bergenia look wonderful planted as a ground-cover carpet.
Several plants massed can completely cover the ground surface with lush foliage, so weeds are blocked, although Bergenia is not invasive.
Perfect for binding banks
This makes the Bergenia family indispensable as binding plants for banks and slopes in shaded areas.
They have such solid root systems to very effectively bind the soil from slipping. While the complete foliage cover means you don't have to be down on hands and knees weeding on the slope.
Low maintenance & undemanding
Bergenia are very low maintenance plants, needing little, if ever attention. So, no need for you to go scrambling about on the slope. A tidy up after winter is all the maintenance required (and they won't care if you forget).
They are renowned as being virtually disease and pest free.
Where to use in the garden
Bergenia cordifolia ‘Shoeshine Rose’ is a wise choice for planting under trees and shrubs; in dry shade or deeply shaded gardens; on banks and slopes that need a binding groundcover; as an evergreen edge for a shaded garden or path; and gravel gardens.
They are also a traditional choice for decorative pots and urns because of their tough health, interest all year round, and lush look despite poor conditions.
Lovely in garden & vase
Both the showy flower Heads, and the beautiful leaves, make excellent cut flowers for vases indoors.
GROWING: Bergenia cordifolia ‘Shoeshine Rose’
- Height with flowers: 25cm.
- Width: 60cm.
- Soil: Bergenia accept a wide range of soils, from sandy to clay, with pH from acid to alkaline lime. But will perform best in humus rich soil with average, normal moisture. They are not thirsty plants and can tolerate periods of dry very well. Because they have such fleshy, robust root systems which store water and nutrients effectively.
Attracts pollinators
The masses of early season flowers are a big help to bees and butterflies. These blooms are rich in both nectar and pollen.
Deer & Rabbit resistant
The growth of Bergenia cordifolia ‘Shoeshine Rose’ is leathery and unpalatable. As a result, they are not attractive to rabbits or deer.
A bit of History
Bergenia hail from the east, from central Asia, Afghanistan and China, where it grows in woodlands and rocky outcrops.
It has acquired many common names, but one of the most unusual must surely be "pig squeak", because of the noise produced when you rub a leaf between thumb and finger. Kids love trying this out.
Other common names include "elephant's ears" - which is referring to the shape of the leaves, and "red hearts" - this refers to the vivid winter colours of the leaves.
The Bergenia genus is named after German botanist and physician Karl August von Bergen who was a great plant collector and author.
Quarantine Restriction: None. Bergenia cordifolia ‘Shoeshine Rose’ can be shipped to all states from Di’s Delightful Plants - one of Australia’s largest on-line nursery and mail order plant services.
Bulk Discount
If you buy 3-6 plants there will be a $0.50 discount per plant"
If you buy 7+ plants there will be a $1.00 discount per plant
Plants on Special are excluded
