Bergenia is a reliable perennial for tricky sites. It thrives in shade to full sun, poor soil, and dry areas where many other plants struggle to grow. It is also rarely bothered by deer or rabbits. However, like any plant, bergenia can experience some problems with pests and diseases. If you have found yourself wondering “what is wrong with my bergenia,” this article is for you. Continue reading to learn about common bergenia problems.
Common Bergenia Issues
Bergenia prefers to grow in moist, but excellent draining, soil in part shade. While it can tolerant dry soil, it cannot tolerate extreme heat, intense afternoon sun, drought, or waterlogged soil. One of the most common bergenia issues is simply being planted in the wrong site with one or more of these environmental factors causing damage. In areas with intense afternoon sun, bergenia may experience sunscald. Sunscald can cause foliage to turn yellow and wilt or dry up, turn brown, and become crumbly. It is recommended that bergenia be planted in a location with afternoon shade and regular waterings if you suspect heat, sun, or drought to be the problem. On the other end of the spectrum, shady beds can oftentimes be extremely moist or wet, and dank. While bergenia appreciates the shade, it cannot tolerate wet feet, waterlogged soil, or excessively damp areas. In these conditions, bergenia can be susceptible to a variety of fungal diseases and rots. Damp areas may also give bergenia problems with snails or slugs. Fungal leaf spot is a common affliction of bergenia plants in damp, soggy sites. Symptoms of fungal leaf spot of bergenia include water-soaked lesions, wilting, and discoloration of foliage. To prevent fungal leaf spot, plant bergenia in well-draining soil, do not overcrowd shade beds so air can easily flow around plants, and water plants at the root zone, not from above.
Other Bergenia Pests and Disease
Anthracnose is a common bergenia issue that can resemble fungal leaf spot. However, when bergenia has anthracnose, it will display brown to gray sunken lesions that grow, eventually connecting. These lesions are usually sunken in the center. Like fungal leaf spot, anthracnose can be prevented by improving watering techniques and air circulation, and by limiting plant-to-plant contact. Lastly, bergenia plants may be a favorite treat of adult vine weevil beetles. Generally, though, these beetles just chew on the edges of the foliage, causing purely cosmetic damage.
-
Gifts For Bird Lovers, Birders and Birdies To Attract More Feathered Friends To Your Yard!If you’re looking to bring more birdies to your garden, these gifts for bird lovers should definitely be on your wish list. Grab some avian attractions to get your gardens all aflutter
-
Elegant Exotics: 8 Beautiful Amaryllis Varieties That Will Brighten Any Holiday DisplayWhether red, pink, white or variegated, the right amaryllis varieties can enhance any living space, especially during the holidays. We round up eight of the most exquisite
-
How To Transplant Bergenia: Dividing And Moving Bergenia PlantsBergenia may bloom and grow beautifully for several years, then suddenly stop performing. This could be because it is choking itself out and needs to be divided or because something in its environment changed and it needs to be moved. Learn more here.
-
Bergenia Winter Care Guide – Tips For Bergenia Winter ProtectionBergenia are tough little plants that can stand up to a wide range of conditions, including cold. But how do you care for a bergenia in winter? Click on the following article to learn more about bergenia cold tolerance and bergenia winter care.
-
Types Of Bergenia For Gardens – How Many Kinds Of Bergenia Are ThereWhile hostas certainly work in shade beds, you have many other perennial options for a shady area. Bergenia, for example, is just one. Click this article to learn more about the many beautiful bergenia varieties for shady gardens.
-
Bergenia Seed Propagation: How To Plant Bergenia SeedsFor a pretty green groundcover that is tough, spreads readily to fill in empty spaces, and produces spring flowers, it’s tough to beat bergenia. Bergenia seed propagation is easy, so save your money and skip the transplants. Learn more in this article.
-
Container Grown Bergenia: Tips For Potted Bergenia Plant CareBergenias are gorgeous evergreen perennials that produce stunning spring flowers and brighten up autumn and winter gardens with their very attractive, colorful foliage. But can you grow bergenia in pots? Learn more about how to grow bergenia in a container here.
-
Treating Disease In Bergenia – How To Recognize Bergenia Disease SymptomsAlthough bergenia plants tend to be relatively disease resistant, this lovely perennial can fall victim to a handful of serious plant diseases. Click this article to learn about treating disease in bergenia plants.
-
Bergenia Insect Problems: Tips For Controlling Bergenia PestsBergenia are sturdy, low-maintenance perennials that tend to be problem free. However, bergenia insect problems do occur from time to time. Click this article to learn methods of controlling bugs that eat bergenia.
-
Bergenia Propagation Methods: A Guide To Bergenia ReproductionBergenia is an attractive perennial with showy clusters of pink or brilliant flowers. Growing new bergenia from a mature plant isn?t difficult, or you can choose to attempt bergenia propagation by planting seeds. Learn more about methods of bergenia reproduction here.
