Pigsqueak (Elephant ears)

Bergenia cordifolia

Robust central Asian perennial with broad rounded leathery evergreen leaves that often turn deep red-purple in cold weather, and dense clusters of pink, magenta, or white flowers on stout stems in spring.

Hardiness ratings

Pigsqueak (Elephant ears) hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 3–8 −40 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 3–8 −34 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–5 −15 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Plant as ground cover and edging — evergreen rounded leaves provide year-round structure where most shade perennials disappear
  • Common name "pigsqueak" comes from the sound the rubbed leaves make between thumb and finger
  • Tolerates drought, sun or shade, and most soils — among the toughest of all herbaceous perennials
  • Cut off any damaged leaves in spring to display the new growth

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Pigsqueak (Elephant ears) against your zones

Reference

Pigsqueak (Elephant ears) on Wikipedia