Bergenia stracheyi 'Alba Group’

A rare dwarf variety with small, oval to obovate, smooth, leathery, dark green leaves forming neat clumps, perfectly suited to the rock garden. The leaves hold well through the winter, taking on a slight bronze tint. In spring, dense clusters of pure white flowers open from pretty green calyces, blushed soft pink, atop short spikes. Growing to no more than 15cm, this is a very choice plant.

How this named variety came to cultivation is unknown but nursery records from Barr and Sons Co. list it for sale in the Hardy Perennials and Alpines list of 1899. Michael Wickenden notes that it was sold by him in 1985 under the name Bergenia 'Helen’s Bay'.