Bergenia x smithii ‘Brilliant’

A Thomas Smith variety from c.1885 raised at Daisy Hill Nursery. It has thick, leathery, pale green, rounded leaves, that strongly resemble the parent B. cordifolia, and which turn a vibrant red in autumn and winter. Deep purple flowers held in crimson red calyces appear in spring and slowly pale with age.

The description by Aileen Stocks suggests there are several plants in cultivation under this name, with small and large leaves, and that the true original cultivar may be lost. However, Charles Nelson suggests the true cultivar has 'very large leaves'.

No longer available in trade but can be seen in specialist collections and gardens.