Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Fairytale Romance Bergenia: The First Pink of Spring
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Fairytale Romance bergenia is one of the first perennials to bloom each spring. As its glossy leaves emerge, thick reddish stems push up dense, 6-inch clusters of bell-shaped flowers about an inch wide in soft apple blossom pink. That is a big, showy display for a time of year when most of the garden is still brown.
The bold, leathery leaves form a low rosette that stays attractive year-round and often turns burgundy in cold weather. Bergenia likes a bit more moisture and some shade compared with lavender, so it belongs along a partly shaded path or border.
Fairytale Romance at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Bergenia 'Fairytale Romance' |
| Flowers | Apple blossom pink bells, about 1 inch, in 6-inch clusters |
| Bloom | Starts mid-April, peaks early May |
| Foliage | Glossy, leathery, evergreen; burgundy tones in cold weather |
| Size | 18 to 20 inches tall in bloom, 18 to 22 inches wide |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Part shade to full sun; richest leaves with summer shade |
| Deer and rabbits | Tend to leave it alone |
How it fits a lavender garden
Fairytale Romance is a companion for the edges, not the lavender bed itself. Use it where a path passes from sun into the shade of a tree or along the shaded side of a fence that leads to your lavender. Its big, glossy, paddle-shaped leaves are a strong contrast to the fine texture of lavender, and they stay green while lavender is dormant.
Its timing is the other gift. It flowers in April and May, weeks before lavender, so a garden that includes both has something blooming from early spring into summer. Plan the edging in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Light: part shade is ideal. In full sun keep the soil evenly moist to prevent leaf scorch.
- Soil: average and well-drained with regular moisture.
- Spring cleanup: remove winter-damaged leaves early, before flower stalks emerge.
- Dividing: split crowded clumps after flowering every few years.
- Problems: mostly trouble-free. Leaf spots can mark leaves in wet seasons, and black vine weevil may notch leaf edges.
Edging, groundcover and pots
A row of bergenia makes a bold, low edge along a walkway, and a group of them acts as a dense groundcover in a partly shaded bed. It also holds its own in containers, where the glossy leaves look good all season. Bergenia is sometimes nicknamed pigsqueak, because rubbing a leaf between your fingers can make a squeaking sound. Results vary, and the neighbors may wonder what you are doing.
Choosing a tray size
Fairytale Romance is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and a 20-cell plug tray. The 72-cell tray is suited to growers and large edging projects, while the 20-cell tray offers larger plugs for a smaller planting. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is bergenia evergreen in Michigan?
Usually yes. The leathery leaves stay through winter and often take on burgundy tones in the cold.
Can I plant it in my lavender bed?
It prefers more moisture and some shade, so it is happier along a partly shaded border near the lavender than in the dry lavender bed.
Are the flowers good for cutting?
They make a fair cut flower for small spring arrangements.
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