Have you seen this?

Okay, maybe you have but this plant — Bergenia 'Ripple Effect' — is totally new to me. B. 'Ripple Effect' is a hybrid between B. ciliata and B. procumbis out of Issima nursery. I've been growing the straight B. ciliata for years along with B. cordifolia and B. 'Bressingham Ruby' from the famed Bressingham family in the UK. Ciliata has fuzzy foliage while the the other two have smooth shiny leaves that color up in autumn and don't go dormant. Bergenia 'Ripple Effect' goes dormant.

Bergenia 'Ripple Effect' has glossy green leaves that are rounded with serrated wavy edges. But get this, the leaves are huge; easily one foot in size. The entire plant will supposedly make a 3' spread and is suggested to be used as a dramatic ground cover. That's what I'm doing. I've put a pair under my Weeping Purple Beech which should be exceedingly dramatic if they're as happy in that location as the Beech.

I found this at my local nursery (K and A Greenhouse) at their late summer sale. I immediately grabbed one; went back a week later for a second. Drove out yesterday for a few things and got two more. All are planted and caged which is why I photographed this one before it went into the ground; the cages lack a certain charm in photos. The rabbits chomped off a leaf on the first one immediately. I think they will be safe to uncage one they start to increase. 

Now I just have to decide if my 'Ripple Effect' Hosta would like to join these guys or if it will sulk at being overshadowed by such foliage giants.

Comments

[Jeanette Madden]

Love this plant.

[Chavli]

Other than killing my first Bergenia, I don't have any experience with them. Looking at your fist photo I thought it was begonia :-D
I adore weeping purple beach, and I think your vision for those giant leafs underneath will be amazing. It would be fantastic to try the hosta mixed in: gold sparkles among the green. I can see it already...

[Beth@PlantPostings]

Darn rabbits; you know how I feel about that. I think I have seen that one, but I'm not sure where...at a botanical garden or a garden shop? It's beautiful. Good luck!

[Kris P]

Sweet! Bergenias of any kind are hard to keep alive here. I've never seen this one offered in local nurseries.

[Kathy from Cold Climate Gardening]

I saw that at the Issima website but didn't pounce soon enough. You must have a really exceptional local nursery that it stocks such new plants.

[danger garden]

I look forward to seeing it in your garden. Bergenia end up looking like lettuce in my garden.

[Barbara H.]

Looks great. I too thought it was a begonia at first and I too have not had luck with Bergenia, though I like them a lot.

[Linda Brazill]

CHAVLI — Once you mentioned it, I actually began to think about how that Hosta might look. Initially I did think the Hosta would get lost among these big guys. But the color and form difference should be enough to make a contrast.