Bergenia ‘Winter Fire’

An old variety which is said to have been raised by The Plantsmen - Jim Archibald and Eric Smith - c. 1975. Christopher Hallsworth, former Plant Heritage National Collection Holder, says that the cultivar is not reliably hardy and requires protection from winter frosts, however, it has survived -7C in Glasgow. It has thick, leathery, dark green leaves, reminiscent of B. 'Ballawley', that are slow to get going in spring. Flowers yet to be observed.

Very rarely seen in cultivation and unfortunately no longer found for sale. I received a cutting from Christopher Hallsworth’s collection.