Bergenia pacumbis (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) C.Y.Wu & J.T.Pan
A superb species typically found growing in wet or dry rocks and cliffs, and in forests from 900-3000m across E. Afghanistan, W. Pakistan, S. Kashmir, S. Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim and N.E. India (Assam). It has orbicular or broadly ovate to obovate, dark green leaves with distinctly glabrous surfaces, rounded base and rigidly ciliate margin. Leaves can vary in size, with large leaved forms available in cultivation. In spring, highly attractive white flowers blushed pink open from branching red stems.
Bergenia pacumbis Beth Chatto form
An unusual form of the species with a uniquely undulating, sinuous, irregularly toothed margin, blushed pink-red. The bright green leaves are hairy on both the upper and lower leaf surface, becoming sparse with age, but not glabrous. The margin is densely ciliate. It also one of two pacumbis I have come across to display hairs on the petiole. It is likely to be a wild or garden hybrid of B. ciliata and B. pacumbis.
Clusters of white-pink flowers emerge in spring on a short, stout pink-red stem.
Bergenia pacumbis Binny form
Another form of pacumbis from Binny Plants with smooth, glossy, mid-green leaves that are glabrous on the upper and lower leaf surface and hairy on the margin. A true pacumbis with a more rounded apex than other forms, tapering slightly toward the base.
This is a pleasing compact form that can be slow to get going in spring after dying back in the winter. May need winter protection.
Bergenia pacumbis Cally form
Found for sale from Cally Gardens, this form has large, leathery, bright green leaves, glabrous on the upper leaf surface and sparsely hairy on the lower leaf surface, with a strongly ciliate margin, made up of short coarse hairs. Generally not an upright grower with the leaves being quite flat. Long pink-green petioles typical of the species are present. Flowers are yet to be observed but Kevin has noted these to be pink.
As this grows at Cally Gardens, it may have been wild collected by the late Michael Wickenden.
Bergenia pacumbis Graham’s Form
A unique clone named after legendary nurseryman Russell Graham by Kelly and Sue of Far Reaches Farm. It has dramatic, muscular, foliage unlike any pacumbis I’ve seen before - elevated by an unusual crinkled margin, prominent venation and thick, rhubarb-like petioles. White-pink flowers appear in spring atop deep pink-red stems.
I generously received three large cuttings from Kelly and Sue in 2023 and am the only UK collection with the form.
