What Is Wrong With My Bergenia?

Do the leaves have brown spots?

Do the leaves have moist sunken spots?

Do the leaves have notched edges?

Do the leaves have large, ragged holes in them?

Does your bergenia grows in the intense afternoon sun?

Brown spots on bergenia leaves indicate fungal leaf spots. Remove and destroy all infected leaves. Thin plants and avoid crowding future plantings. Water windflowers from below. Clean up all plant debris around your flowers to remove overwintering sites.

These symptoms are caused by fungal disease - Anthracnose. This disease is causing problems to plants mostly in cool and wet springs. In severe cases, plants can die back. All diseased leaves and stems should be disposed of. Clean up all plant debris around your flowers to remove overwintering sites.

Notched edges on the leaves are caused by Vine weevils. The wingless, black bugs are adults that feed on the bergenia leaves. You can get rid of them by handpicking or by gently shaking the plant and collecting fallen beetles. Spray leaves several times with pyrethrin for major infestations.

Large, ragged holes in the leaves are caused by slugs and snails. Slugs and snails feed on the plant leaves usually at night. To control slugs and snails use diatomaceous earth around your plants. You can also handpick them during the night or use shallow dishes filled with beer as a trap.

In areas with intense afternoon sun, bergenia may experience sunscald. Sunscald can cause foliage to turn yellow and wilt or dry up, turn brown and become crumbly. It is recommended that bergenia be planted in a location with afternoon shade.

Bergenia prefers to grow in moist, well-drained soil in part shade. While it can tolerant dry soil, it cannot tolerate extreme heat, intense afternoon sun, drought, or waterlogged soil.