MY SIGNATURE 'REDNECK' PLANT

Shots from Sweet Garden Chicago :
Bergenia cordifolia
commonly called ' pig squeak '

Alan Armitage said of Bergenia cordifolia " If you rub the leaf between thumb and forefinger just right it sounds like pigs squeaking, " thus the moniker 'pig squeak." Gee, thanks, Alan I know what pigs sounds like and it's not a squeak. We call it squealing cause most of them sound like they're being stuck with a needle.

My description of this plant is : Large, handsome glossy leaves, green throughout the season, bronze in Fall, lovely long-lasting pink flowers in the Spring, tolerant of almost any soil in full sun or light shade. Colonize slowly. Hardy for Northern gardens as it hails from Siberia.

I love Bergenia and have planted it in just about every nook and cranny of my garden, front and back, and that of many clients. The great thing about it is it colonizes and you can divide it up and easily transplant it. It creates a bold effect in the landscape.

Newer varities such as 'Lunar glow ' with a chartruese leaf and 'Eden's magic giant ( larger bolder leaves measuring 9 x12" ) are great.

Thanks to Tina at In the Garden for coming up with the signature plant series.