Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Miss Piggy Bergenia: Pink Pigsqueak Flowers Right After Snowmelt
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Miss Piggy bergenia opens bright pink bell-shaped flowers on thick reddish stems in early spring, right after the snow melts. Underneath is a wide canopy of broad, glossy, dark green leaves that stay through the year. Rub two leaves together and they squeak, which is why bergenia is called pigsqueak, and why this one has the name it does.
Miss Piggy at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Bergenia 'Miss Piggy' |
| Flowers | Bright pink bells about 3/4 inch wide in clusters on reddish stems |
| Foliage | Large, rounded, thick and glossy dark green; evergreen |
| Size | 16 to 18 inches tall in bloom, 28 to 32 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early spring, after snowmelt |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 4 to 8 |
| Light | Part shade to full sun |
| Wildlife | Deer and rabbits leave it alone |
Where it fits near lavender
Bergenia likes a bit more moisture and some shade compared with lavender, so it does not belong in the lean, dry heart of a lavender bed. It does make an excellent edging in the transition zones: along a path that runs from a sunny lavender planting into a partly shaded border, at the base of a fence that gets afternoon shade, or along the front of a mixed bed on the east side of a building.
The pairing works on timing too. Miss Piggy blooms when lavender is still a gray-green mound waking up from winter, so the garden has color months before the first lavender spike. Its big, round, glossy leaves are also the exact opposite of lavender's narrow silver ones, a contrast that looks good all year. Try placements in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Soil: average and well drained, with regular moisture.
- Light: leaf color is richest with some shade in summer. It takes full sun if the soil stays moist.
- Spring cleanup: remove any winter-damaged leaves as new growth starts.
- Dividing: split crowded clumps after flowering every few years.
- Wildlife: deer and rabbits leave it alone, a plus in open rural gardens.
A durable groundcover
Planted in a row or a loose group, Miss Piggy forms a low, wide canopy that shades out weeds and holds its own along walks. The flower color is consistent from year to year, and the leaves are broader and more substantial than many bergenias, so a planting looks full and polished even out of bloom.
The plug tray format
Miss Piggy is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray, which suits growers and anyone edging long paths or borders. See the product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Does it really squeak?
Yes. Rub two leaves between your fingers and you will hear it. Children tend to test this more than once.
Is it evergreen in Michigan?
The leaves are evergreen and persist through winter, though some may be damaged by harsh weather. Trim those off in early spring.
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