Bergenia x schmidtii

First described by Verlot in 1868, this is almost certainly a garden hybrid of B. pacumbis and B. crassifolia. Famously favoured by Arts and Crafts plantswoman Gertrude Jekyll, planted en masse along the border edge, it is historically one of the most commonly used Bergenia in cultivation.

It has large, leathery, evergreen, obovate leaves with a coarsely ciliate margin. It produces a short branched panicle of highly attractive rose-pink flowers in spring and occasionally repeat flowers in late summer and autumn.

It is still an excellent choice for creating an evergreen carpet effect. It isn’t as commonly available as it once was but can be found for sale from specialist nurseries and in gardens, such as RHS Wisley.