Re: [SG] dry shade---Bergenia

In a message dated 2/26/99 9:08:18 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Frances@TACONIC.NET writes:

<< >
 > I don't know, but they are also called "Elephant's Ears." And the genus is
 > sometimes called Megasea. AND B. ciliata is known as Winter Begonia.
 > For some strange reason, I am going to try these again!
 >
 > Clyde Crockett z5 >>

Dear Clyde,

Megasea is way outdated, a feature in the original Jekyll books, pots full of
them.  Megasea and hosta plantaginea in beautiful pots on terraces.
Bergenia ciliata was a cult plant for a few years and is the tender one.  It
can be grown here as an indoor plant blooming in spring in the house.  Gene
Bush talks about losses in early spring freezes.

If we grow plants from other parts of the world that will live under our
conditions, it does not necessarily mean they will prosper.  I gave a look in
Rix & Phillips, vol I, Perennials which says our common bergenia is from
Siberia.  In researching other genera I have been surprised to discover that
some Siberian plants are not hardy in my zone.

Rix and Phillips are the best perennial quick quides.  They picture every
singly entry and give you origin of the plant to help you understand the
culture.

Since our cold location skips spring emergence freezes that may explain why
bergenia do well here.  We have the earliest plants come on later, all at
once.  Some hostas, primula, early bulbs, daphne etc., come up and bloom while
you are watching.  The further south one goes the more great plants it becomes
possible to grow.  Here is the first time in a long time that I can say (not
entirely happily) that being in cold country has an advantage.

Elephant ears is usually the common name for colocasia.  This is one more good
reason for a gardener to know Latinate forms.  My idea of elephant ears is a
tuber about the size of a rutabaga that grows big enough to sit under.  Please
don't be put off by botanic Latinate plant names, it can save you much trouble
in the long run.

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
z4
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