Bergenia ciliata aka Hairy Bergenia

Bergenia ciliata is a perennial in the saxifrage family. Common names include fringed bergenia and winter begonia. Kew places its native range from the western Himalaya to southwestern Nepal. It grows on damp rocks and beneath forest shade. Other recorded habitats include wooded slopes, rock ledges, and alpine meadows.

Plants form low clumps that spread slowly through rhizomes. Garden plants reach about 1 foot (0.3 metres) tall. Clumps can spread to 2 feet (0.61 metres) wide. Broad, rounded leaves grow in loose rosettes. Each leaf can reach 1.2 feet (0.36 metres) long. The thick green leaves have hairs on both sides. Their edges have small teeth and a wavy outline. Young leaves may show red tints early in the year. Leaf cover varies with climate. Plants lose their leaves in USDA zones 5–7. In warmer sites, some leaves may last through winter. Cold can leave them bronze or damaged.

Flowers appear from March to April, above the low foliage. The RHS describes white blooms that turn pink on red stems. Missouri Botanical Garden records pink flowers with deeper pink calyces. Frost may harm the early blooms and leaves. New leaves grow in spring to replace damaged ones. The broad foliage provides ground cover beneath shrubs and trees. Plants also suit path edges and the front of borders. Gardeners can use the leaves in flower arrangements. Containers are another option where winters stay mild.

Choose rich soil that holds moisture but drains well. This plant accepts clay, loam, sand, and chalk soils. It also grows across acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. Partial shade suits it, with deeper shade in hot summers. The RHS also lists full sun as suitable. Some sun or broken shade helps the leaves look their best. Established plants cope with short dry spells. Even so, do not let the soil dry out completely. Missouri Botanical Garden gives USDA zones 5–8; the RHS gives H4. Divide plants or take rhizome sections after spring flowering. Remove spent flower stems.

Serious pest and disease problems are not usual. Watch for leaf spot, vine weevil, slugs, and snails. Aphids, mealybugs, and greenhouse thrips may also occur. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards. It records flowers as food after boiling and pickling. This does not establish that every part is safe to eat. It also records traditional medicinal uses for leaves, roots, and whole plants. These reports do not establish that treatments work. The roots contain tannin, another recorded use.