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Bergenia crassifolia - (L.)Fritsch.

Common Name Siberian Tea
Family Saxifragaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats On shady north-facing rocks, stony slopes, rock streams and old moraines in the forest and alpine zones[74].
Range E. Asia - N.W. China to Siberia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Bergenia crassifolia Siberian Tea


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Salvor
Bergenia crassifolia Siberian Tea
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Selso

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Bergenia crassifolia is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

B. bifolia. Saxifraga crassifolia.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Tea

The leaves are used as a tea substitute[2, 61, 105, 177, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidiarrhoeal  Antirheumatic  TB

None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Tannin

A useful ground cover plant[188], though rather slow to spread[197]. It forms a clump[208]. Tannin is obtained from the bark[61]. The roots contain 15 - 22% tannin, exceptionally 26%[223]. The leaves and stems contain 17 - 25% tannin[223].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in full sun or light shade in most soils[134, 200] but prefers a deep fertile soil that does not dry out fully[134]. Established plants are drought tolerant according to another report[190]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are at their best in a medium-heavy soil[208]. Requires a position sheltered from cold drying winds and from the early morning sun. The leaf colour is best when plants are grown in a poor soil in a sunny position[188]. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -20°c[187]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[K]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. The different species of this genus will hybridise freely when grown near each other[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse. Make sure that the compost does not dry out. Two weeks cold stratification can speed up germination which usually takes 1 - 6 months at 15°c[134]. Fresh seed, sown as soon as it is ripe in late spring is liable to germinate better than stored seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in late spring after flowering[188] or in autumn[200]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Bergenia ciliata Perennial0.3 6-9  LMHSNM123
Bergenia cordifoliaSiberian-tea, Pigsqueak, Heartleaf BergeniaPerennial0.3 3-9 MLMHFSNM003
Bergenia purpurascens Perennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNM023

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)Fritsch.

Botanical References

74200266

Links / References

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