I have mine in the same conditions as yours, but they are four years old. They came up fine this spring, but a late freeze (or several) turned them to mush. Now, they are struggling to grow, but have done better than I thought they would. They haven't flowered yet, but I heard they may never flower. No suggestions for your plant, just wanted to tell you that I have the same problem.

I struggled with these for years, moving them to different parts of my garden. They badly winterburned for me and never looked like much, winter or summer. I finally pulled them. But, much later, I did discover the secret of gorgeous bergenias--move to England, where they are spectacular!

I've got them in two spots. The ones in the slightly higher, drier ground are doing better than the ones in moist ground, and those come through the winter better, too. Mine have an eastern exposure, and get sun until early afternoon. Good luck, it took a couple of moves before I found a spot they like. Mine don't bloom every year, but I like them mainly for the leaves anyway.
Brenda

Mine in a raised bed against the east wall of the house have done much better than those out in the main garden. I got so disgusted with those this year that I removed them from the front of a bed & stuffed them under Aster divaricatus (thanks Gertrude Jeckyll). Now, I can't see them & maybe they'll help support the aster, flopping thing that it is.

It could be that the soil is too moist, and over-fertilizing could also be an issue. I never (not ever) fertilize my bergenia and they're beautiful.

I have some of them in full, hot all-day scorching sun between the sidewalk and the porch (yikes!) and they do very well with the soil being on the drier side (but does get occasional supplemental watering). I also have clumps in partial shade with soil that I would consider average in moisture content, and they are also thriving.

I've always heard bergenia do well in moist soil, but mine aren't in particulary moist soil, so I can't attest to that.

I love bergenia, I think they are very easy to grow and low maintenace.

Also, don't give up on them if growth is slow in the spring, sometimes it takes them a while to get revved up and put out the big lush leaves. Mine are putzing along this year, but it's been a weird spring (frost in May!) but there are lots of baby leaves coming up that no doubt in a couple weeks will be lush. :)

Hi! Ive had some Bergenia for about three years now. I got some starts from a relative, who has had them for an even longer time. Ive found that Bergenia do a lot better in a dry situation, with soil that draines well. The ones that were planted in moister conditions were horribly scrawney. Ive never had any hardiness issues with them. Perhaps they dont overwinter good in locations that are not good draining in the winter?
CMK

-ginny12, you should see them in Seattle in the spring! They are amazing cascadeing down the typical Seattle rock retaining walls!

Sounds of anguish coming from bergenia-less Boston!! :)

Thanks everyone!

Last year this plant did great. I think it has somethng to do with the strange winter weather we had. Drainage may be an issue to. I've moved the Bergenia to a more well drained area, we'll see what happens. The soil I have here is good so I didnt fertilize again. Thanks again!

Jen

Jen... I was going to say the same thing. My soil is very sandy and well-draining, and I haven't had any troubles with them. (I don't fertilize, either.) I think you're on the right track!

I have mine in partial shade and give them very little water. They do very well and bloom every year.

I have grown numerous bergenias from seed and have them in many spots through my garden- some in drier spots some in moist. My garden is shady one so they are all in part shade. Did not see much difference. They do bloom nicely, I collected seeds from my own plants to start new seedlings for next year. Since I add compost to beds every year I do not get many volunteers. This past winter/ spring zapped many plants for me as well and I did not have good bloom for bergenias, and lost few. They are recovering very nicely now.
I would say they are easy plants to grow- plant them and forget them.

Most bergenia cultivars do not tolerate heat, some do. Breeders have be crossing the Chinese bergenia (B. emeiensis) to add heat tolerance. I have "Apple Blossom" and so far it has done fine.

pontesmanny

This is the 2nd winter mine has been through. I have the B. cordifolia and haven't fertilized at all. The location is in a south facing bed with a little overhang from the cherry tree. When the tree is in leaf though the Bergenia still gets hot afternoon sun during the hottest part of the day. They have been a nice winter interest turning a nice burgundy shade. They have been greening up so now it's just flushed with burgundy color. I noticed a few side pups have formed...YEAH!!

I wonder if they might bloom this spring?

I posted a similar woe on this forum a few years ago, I too have been "Betrayed by Bergenia." I tried wet spots, dry spots, sunny spots..turns out that Bergenia like ACID soil. Mine is alkaline. I put some acid Osmocote ( the one with the purle lid and label for Azaleas and Rhododendrons) and have had better results. I still prefer hostas.