Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea'

Bergenias make excellent ground-cover plants. Some varieties take on reddish or metallic tints in winter, but Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' has purple foliage all year round, with upright stalks of pink flowers opening in late winter and extending through spring. Although bergenias thrive in light shade, the foliage of coloured leafed varieties like this one is strongest when grown in sun and poor soil. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Because of its fine foliage Bergenia cordifolia 'Purpurea' makes a good foil for a huge range of summer flowers – use as a substitute for hosta in poor soil or drier conditions.