Bergenia ‘Glasnevin’

A rather handsome variety which I received from the Irish Garden Plant Society trial of Bergenia at Glasnevin. It was previously included in the RHS Wisley trial from 2007 to 2009 and awarded an AGM for its foliage - with material being supplied by Binny Plants. Unfortunately, the award was mistakenly made to the wrong plant. The award for B. 'Glasnevin' is actually B. purpurascens 'Irish Crimson' which may have come from the Beth Chatto Garden and Nursery as B. purpurascens ex Helen Dillon - a synonym for what is now sold as B. purpurascens 'Irish Crimson'.

Bergenia 'Glasnevin' is distinct from B. purpurascens 'Irish Crimson' in its leaf shape, habit and winter colour. It shouldn’t be confused with it or B. 'Godfrey Owen', another popular named variety of purpurascens, or the less well known B. 'Balbithan' from Mary McMurtrie.

Bergenia 'Glasnevin' has bright green ovate to obovate leaves with a distinct pink, toothed margin and prominent pink petiole. The leaves turn a brilliant shade of rusted red-orange in winter.