Badan is an unpretentious plant that is ideal for growing in a flower bed among garden plants. Planting an incense plant in the open field and further caring for it are so easy that even a beginner can successfully cope with the task of growing a perennial garden crop.
However, certain nuances associated with planting and further care still need to be taken into account.
Features of planting badan
Before planting badan, it is advisable to choose a suitable site. A loose, light soil is ideal for the culture, which will contribute to the receipt of nutrients, moisture and oxygen for the plant root system.
The plant should not suffer from drought and bright sun, stagnant water. Otherwise, even an unpretentious incense may cease to please its owners. Planting badan in the open field is recommended in an area that is in partial shade.
Further caring for the plant involves careful monitoring of the condition.
The plant does not have special requirements for the composition of the soil. It is desirable that the site has a soil with a slightly alkaline reaction. However, even on a weakly acidic substrate, badan can adapt, as a result of which it will delight with long periods of flowering and even reproduction.
How to properly care for badan
After the berry has been planted in, it is very important to take care of further proper care. The plant is considered unpretentious, but it can be vulnerable to adverse growth conditions:
- Badan does not tolerate overdried soil. For this reason, regular and abundant watering is recommended.
- The lower leaves must not be removed, despite the fact that they have lost their decorative effect. It is the lower leaves that cover the plant's root system and retain moisture. If you still want to clean the sockets, you should mulch the soil surrounding the ornamental plant. After the plant has grown, the foliage covers the soil. It is not surprising that badan is a ground cover plant. It should be noted that in those places where badan grows, there are no weeds, so weeding the soil also ceases to be relevant.
- Badan bloom usually occurs in the second half of spring.The exact timing of flowering depends on the plant variety. After flowering, the arrows are carefully trimmed with scissors if you do not need to obtain seeds for further propagation of the ornamental culture. With proper care and favorable weather, badan can bloom again in late summer - early autumn.
- Top dressing is practically not needed... If you apply too much fertilizer, the berry blossom will worsen. Only once a summer can you feed with a complex fertilizer, which is recommended to be diluted first.
- In the fall, you will need to remove old leaves that have died out. It is undesirable to cut off old leaves with scissors or a knife. The leaves must be carefully torn off, but the petiole must also be removed.
- Badan perceives the transplant negatively. For this reason, it is undesirable to transplant plants unnecessarily. Badan can successfully grow and develop in one area for 10-12 years, but the plant will grow in breadth. Taking into account the peculiarities of the growth of badan, planting should be planned correctly and other ornamental plants, vegetables or garden crops should be protected. In addition, the spread of aggressive badan can be limited by curbs, stones.
Timely planting of badan in the open field and further simple care are the main tasks for flower growers, which must be successfully dealt with for long-term cultivation and further reproduction of the plant.
How to prepare badan for winter
Badan is resistant to adverse weather and low air temperatures. Many varieties can withstand air temperatures down to minus 35-40 degrees, and the snow protects the plant from such a temperature regime.
In snowless winters, badan has a more difficult time, because its root system is close to the surface, and it can freeze.
During those periods when there is no snow, it is advisable to take care of a special shelter for the plant. It is advisable to protect the berry from unfavorable weather with straw and spruce branches, fallen leaves. Only in the spring can the shelter be removed, since positive air is already considered favorable for the plant.
In regions where winters differ in temperatures only up to minus 10 degrees, badan does not need shelter.
Plant diseases and pests
Planting badan in the open field is the first step to long-term plant growth, which will be very easy to care for. Beginners can also be satisfied that the plant will show resistance to pests and diseases.
How badan reproduces
Reproduction of badan is a specific and long procedure. Reproduction is usually carried out using seeds and dividing cuttings.
Growing badan by seed reproduction
Badan is black and very small. During the first years, seedlings develop slowly, so they form miniature short rosettes. Seedlings need constant watering and careful monitoring of their condition. In addition, in late autumn, seedlings should be covered with dried leaves.
In addition, seedlings must be dived with a substrate, which consists of compost, sand and loamy soil (the ratio should be the same).
Experienced breeders note that for effective reproduction, it is recommended to plant badan in early spring in a specially prepared container, which can subsequently be exposed under snow in winter. Then the container must be returned to heat.
For constant growth on the site, seedlings can be planted in the second year after mid-summer.
Growing bergenia by cuttings
For reproduction in this way, only strong, healthy plants are used. In this case, the age of the plants should be medium. Before planting, a part of the branch with an apical bud and a rosette is separated, almost all the leaves are cut off. After a few days, you can see how the branch will take root.
It is best to plant the cuttings at a distance of about 40 centimeters from each other, and the rosette should be placed in previously prepared soil. The procedure for caring for berry seedlings is similar to that for adult plants.
What problems can there be when growing badan
When growing badan, certain problems may appear. After planting badan in open ground, with further improper care, which consists in overcrowding of plants, high humidity, spots on the leaves may appear, blackening or necrosis of tissues may begin.
You can cope with this problem if you complete the following tasks:
- spraying with special fungicides;
- carrying out proper watering;
- rarefaction of existing landings for air flow to the bases of the outlets.
It is important to note that the most dangerous are nematode worms, since in the worst case it is necessary to dig up and destroy the diseased completely.
Regular care and constant monitoring of bergenia prevents unwanted problems associated with growing the plant.
How is badan used in landscape design
Badan can be successfully grown both in the shade and in the sun. This plant is considered versatile. Many summer residents can plant badan in flower beds where there is a lack of sunlight and improve the perception of their private territory.
Badan can be skillfully used in design. The plant grows independently thanks to creeping rhizomes and can be used as a ground cover for a flower bed. Dense planting of badan prevents weeds. However, this will only be useful in general landscape design, because many ornamental plants, vegetables and fruit crops will not get along with badan.
Badan is ideally combined with deciduous trees and bulbous plants. Such planting options deserve special attention of summer residents.
Correct planting of badan in the open field and further easy care of the plant contribute to its successful cultivation.
Badan occupies a special place among herbaceous perennials. With this evergreen, you can beautifully frame such corners of the garden that are always in sight. The flower itself, like any other perennials, fades quickly, and its leaves do not lose their decorative effect throughout the season. Let's figure out where and how to grow a garden flower badan, what are its requirements for planting and care in the open field, and also consider examples of compositions with its participation in garden design.
Evergreen flower badan: planting and care in the open field
The Latin name - Bergenia was given to the plant in honor of Karl Bergen, a famous doctor and botanist from Germany. Popularly, badan is called elephant ears because of the similarity of forms, as well as Siberian, Mongolian or Chagir tea - the dried leathery foliage of the plant has been used since ancient times for brewing tea.
The Badan genus consists of 10 species, some of which have long been known and grown in culture. Bergenia is an attractive and useful plant, which could not be ignored by breeders who bred dozens of varieties and hybrids.
Types and varieties of badan
To begin with, let's note the common features of all types of bergenia - basically, these are evergreens with a powerful, horizontal root and large, leathery, glossy, long-stalked leaves in basal rosettes. The flowers are fragrant, bell-shaped, the fruit is a box.
Badan thick-leaved (V. crassifolia)
A widespread type, it is he who is used in folk medicine and for brewing tea, other names are medicinal incense, early flower. The root is branched, the shoots are leafless flowering (no higher than 40 cm) and vegetative rosette. 
Green, obovate foliage of vegetative shoots by autumn acquires a bright red hue. The stalks of fleshy leaves contain a supply of water. Many flowers, collected in dense inflorescences, open towards the end of April, flowering lasts about a month. Overwintered, old and dry leaves are cut to make tea. Varieties:
- Hidenuspe - height up to 60 cm, flowers pinkish-white, inflorescences up to 20 cm. The variety blooms for about 70 days;
- Senior - no higher than 50 cm, pink, dark flowers;
- Purpurea - bush height about 50 cm, flowers are red, rather large.
Badan cordifolia (V. cordifolia)
Intraspecific variety of the previous species. The bush is no higher than 40 cm, the dark green foliage is round, heart-shaped with a rough texture. It blooms in May, bright pink, sometimes with a lilac shade, flowers collected in bent brushes. 
On sale you can find varieties with white, purple and light purple flowers, here are some of the most common:
- Mongolian tea - with tall pink tassel flowers, with a dark purple core;
- Rotblum - deep pink tassels rise 40 cm above lush rosettes of leaves.
Berry ciliate (B. ciliate)
A short perennial plant with large leaves. Rounded, rather large, nap-covered leaf blades actively grow in width. Peduncles are long with white or pink flowers with a pleasant aroma. In cold winters when grown outdoors, the leaves sometimes fall off, but the plant itself survives. Flowers of this variety are suitable for cutting; they last more than a week in a vase.
The most popular variety is named after Disney's Dumbo elephant. The color when the buds of white-pink flowers bloom are initially pale, every day it becomes brighter and richer.
Pacific badan (V. pacifica)
It is a light-loving plant with pale green ovoid leaves, the median leaf vein is convex. Old overwintered leaves die off during the growing season, changing color - they become brown or red. New leaves grow towards the end of flowering. Peduncle glabrous (rarely with one leaf), reddish up to 40 cm in height. The species blooms in early spring with pink flowers.
Badan Strechi (V. stracheyi)
View with ovate-oblong ciliate leaves jagged along the edge. 
It blooms from July, the height of the peduncle is about 40 cm. Varieties:
- Alba - white flowers
- Beetchoven - no higher than 40 cm, variety with original flowering - white buds, pink flower stalks, brown cups;
- Belveder is a low-growing plant (up to 20 cm), the flowers are white, gradually acquiring a pink tint.
Badan hybrid (V. hybrida)
We have selected the most popular garden hybrids:
You can get acquainted with other representatives of the genus Bergenia in the central botanical garden in Novosibirsk, in the garden of the Botanical Institute. V.L. Komarov (former Imperial Botanical Garden) in St. Petersburg, as well as in the Almaty Botanical Garden of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Badan: growing and care
Bergenia grows well under favorable conditions. Several bushes, planted nearby, very quickly close the leaves and cover the soil. It is a pleasure to take care of the plant, 1 or 2 times a year mulch the bushes with garden compost. In the spring, remove damaged leaves and overgrown shoots so that the bush does not lose its decorative effect. To avoid self-seeding and weakening of the plant, remove faded peduncles. Top dressing is carried out twice - in spring and after flowering, when new leaves begin to form.
Badan firmly tolerates drought and frost, it is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, it loves partial shade. The only thing that the plant doesn't like is moisture stagnation. The first watering is carried out during the budding period, the next during flowering, the last in the fall. In general, watch the weather, in a rainy summer, bergenia does not need additional watering.
Badan does not like transplants, in one place the plant feels great for decades, however, it grows quickly and occupies territory that is not intended for it. That is, transplants are sometimes necessary. The procedure is performed no more than once every 5 or 6 years, in September.
Diseases and pests
Badan is resistant to diseases and pests, but in unfavorable conditions (excessive moisture) there is a risk of being affected by fungal infections, for example, ramulariasis. External signs of the disease - brown spots with a reddish border appear on the upper side of the leaf, on the lower side the foci are covered with a whitish bloom, the leaves dry. For treatment, all affected parts should be removed, and the bush itself should be treated with a copper-containing preparation.
Of the pests, nematodes and leafhoppers are dangerous, with the latter it is not difficult to cope (we described the possible methods of struggle earlier), but you will have to work hard with nematodes. Dig out the bush and dip the rhizome in a strong solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes, then plant the berry in a new place, and treat the former with bioinsecticides and leave empty for a year. Or sow it with marigolds.
In unfavorable years, snails and slugs also attack the badan - they make holes in the edges of the leaves. And since this is an evergreen plant, such corrugated leaves go away in winter. And, in fact, after the winter they "decorate" the whole composition, admire: 
Using bergenia
Badan is the leader in the content of tannins, which allows the plant to be used to increase the moisture resistance of products, leather dressing, tanning of tarps, tackle and nets.
Berry tonic tea is rich in useful properties - hemostatic, antipyretic, antimicrobial and astringent. The tea can be stored for about 4 years. In Tibet, the drink is known as an aid in the treatment of rheumatism, diseases of the kidneys, joints, gastrointestinal tract and tuberculosis.
An alcoholic infusion of (necessarily green, overwintered) leaves suppresses stress and increases efficiency.
The thick-leaved bergenia root is endowed with anti-inflammatory, astringent and antimicrobial properties. Preparations, decoctions, extracts and infusions from the root, which, by the way, are allowed by scientific medicine, strengthen the capillary walls, lower pressure, decoctions are effective for dysentery and colitis, and are also used for rinsing the mouth in chronic inflammatory processes.
Long-term use of bergenia remedies can provoke constipation. Tinctures should not be used for people with increased blood clotting, and decoctions from the roots are contraindicated in hypertension.
Garden badan in landscape design
The list of what berry is combined with in the garden is quite extensive, because it is decorative from the very early spring to autumn frosts. With his participation, it is easy to create picturesque compositions in various plantings - with trees, shrubs, flowers and wild herbs, a lot of opportunities for creativity are open for you, use them to the fullest!
Various garden forms and hybrids of larch, pine, maple, mountain ash and bird cherry are suitable as background trees. A good addition to trees would be vines - actinidia or Chinese magnolia vine. Companion shrubs include juniper, euonymus, rhododendron, shrub cinquefoil, Kuril tea and comb.
When choosing companions, pay attention to those plants that are decorative all season, neighbors should complement each other in terms and gamut of flowering, create the most incredible landscape paintings. Plant bergenia in small, solo groups. The foreground of the group can be decorated with bulbs. Place a group of various lilies, swimsuits, irises or hazel grouses side by side. Needless to say about the successful combination of badan with brunner and bells - everything is obvious here! From spring to autumn, the lunar will serve as a spectacular background.
Badan is often planted to strengthen the slopes, as well as in rocky gardens and on alpine hills, where various bows, saxifrage, rezuhi, ground cover phlox, beetroot, thyme, dendranthem and sunflowers will become the closest and successful neighbors. This also includes periwinkles, primroses, anemone, maidenhair and ferns.
Another good place for bergenia is the shores of reservoirs. But as we remember, bergenia is hard to tolerate high humidity, so in the pursuit of beauty, do not sacrifice a plant, choose places with no stagnant groundwater. It is very good if there is an artificial reservoir in the garden. In such places, next to the badan, irises, marigolds, highlanders and beautiful days look good.
By the way, there are varieties with colored leaves, for example Solar Flare - against the background of a yellow leaf plate, bright green flashes. The reverse side is still purple. Even small curtains in the garden look very impressive. And the charming bergenia bushes Lunar Clow are painted in 3 transitional colors in the spring - the overwintered old leaves are dark green with purple, and the young ones are yellow and green: 
Isn't it a miracle? Just think about the number of benefits of bergenia - unpretentiousness, versatility, decorativeness, and so many benefits in a plant - it's just a godsend! A great reason to have such an attractive guest in your garden. So we boldly recommend growing such a garden flower as badan - planting and caring for it in the open field is not burdensome, but the pleasure is the sea!
Badan is a perennial plant of the Kamnelomkov family. It is also called bergenia (Latin Bergenia). It grows mainly in forests, on wet slopes in river valleys, as it does not tolerate direct sunlight, which slows down its growth.
It has a powerful root system, shiny leaves and bright flowers of various colors. Flowering is observed in the spring and summer. At this moment, an arrow is thrown, reaching 0.4-0.5 m, with a dense bundle of inflorescences, in which there are a lot of seeds. It can grow in one place for up to ten years and does not require constant replanting in spring and autumn.
Types and varieties
It is used both as a medicinal tea and added to food (soups or as a spice for meat) cut into small pieces of dried root. A distinctive feature is that the leaves are very large and resemble cabbage leaves, and in the fall they acquire a reddish tint. The inflorescences are dark pink.
Or eroica (lat. Eroica) you can find inflorescences of white, pink, lilac and purple colors with large leaves in the shape of a heart, for which the flower got its name.
It blooms with bright, light purple flowers similar to bells in shape.
This variety is obtained by crossing different varieties.
Some of them:
The buds are light pink and flesh-colored. Blooms in the spring (April, May). Winter-resistant. Not whimsical, can grow even in rocky soil, but does not like a lot of water.
Inflorescences are pink-red, up to 0.35 m high.
It is considered one of the largest in this class, reaching 0.5 m in height. It has wavy large leaves and bright pink flowers.
This is the most popular type of healing badan. Both the top and the root are used as raw materials for the healing infusion.
Badan planting and care in the open field
Badan is very easy to grow, the main thing is to create favorable conditions for it, which means to reproduce the natural wild environment. For this, sod land is used, if it is clay, dilute it with sand or gravel. The balance of sand, compost and clay soil is considered optimal. Water stagnation is a dangerous point, so do not forget about drainage.
The best time to plant is May, June and July. Ready seedlings are planted in a previously prepared dug-up soil without weeds. The hole should be quite spacious so as not to damage the root system - this is important.
Watering badan
As for watering, there are two options: either fill the hole before planting, place a seedling, wait until the earth settles and sprinkle it with peat and sawdust (next watering no earlier than 5 days later), or water it after planting, and then as needed.
The fact is that in natural conditions, protection from drying out and excess water occurs due to last year's leaves. And in decorative conditions, they are removed every year for aesthetic beauty. Therefore, the watering time is adjusted according to the weather. You should also provide mulching around the bushes, which will contribute to uniform evaporation of moisture.
Fertilizer for bergenia
The plant will delight the eye, every day, with healthy, green, shiny leaves and bright, rich, lush flowers, only if it is fertilized. Before and after flowering, it is the mineral fertilizer that is recommended for use.
If a bush is additionally fertilized a couple of weeks after flowering, this contributes to its growth and the change in leaf color to a more brown shade.
Growing badan from seeds
Badan has small black seeds of about 1-2 mm. The first couple of years, flowers are not very developed, their length reaches 25 mm in height. They need constant monitoring.
Closer to winter, the seedlings are stopped with a substrate of clay soil, compost and sand, and covered with dried leaves, which are not cut off before winter, but cut off, making sure not to leave cuttings.
Seeds are planted in early spring in specially prepared boxes for seedlings and only after a year are transplanted into flower beds.
Propagation by cuttings
Healthy middle-aged shoots (fourth or fifth season) are selected. An apical bud and a rosette should be present on this branch, and almost all of the leaves break off.
Usually, rooting is observed after a few days, after which it is transplanted into the ground at a distance of about 40 cm, given that the growth does not go up, but in breadth. Caring for such seedlings is similar to normal planting.
Badan reproduction by division
A similar method is possible not earlier than in 4 years, after waiting until it grows. New roots are located closer to the surface and are not difficult to separate. Reproduction is carried out in May.
The separated root should have root buds and 2-3 leaves. They are planted in holes 10-15 cm deep, at the same distance (40 cm). Then watered abundantly.
Diseases and pests
Badan is resistant to diseases and pests (this is due to its chemical composition), only if all the rules of care and feeding are observed, otherwise, one of the ailments is leaf damage. In this case, the bush does not bloom.
To prevent damage to the entire plant, the affected areas should be immediately trimmed with pruning shears and treated with antifungal agents.
Worms (nematodes) are considered dangerous pests. Here, even a transplant will not save, since the eggs of nematodes can remain on the roots.
Badan medicinal properties and contraindications
Both the rhizome and the top have useful and even healing properties. The composition contains: carbohydrates, manganese, honey, iron, tannins, arbutin, vitamins, resins, starch, etc. Dried workpieces are stored for no more than 4 years.
It has anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, healing and diuretic effects. The range of indications for use is very wide, but contraindications should be taken into account: it cannot be used with a tendency to form blood clots, chronic constipation and increased blood clotting.
In landscape design, badan (bergenia) is used as a highlight of the garden.
This is an evergreen plant of the saxifrage family, which blooms from late April to June, like any other primrose begins to show the beauty of its foliage immediately after the snow melts.
Despite the plant's winter hardiness, return frosts in spring can negatively affect the flowering period, so cover the flower buds with fallen leaves in the spring and shade the leaves to prevent sunburn.
Badan flowers resemble bells of pink, purple, lavender color with an interesting fragrant aroma. In autumn, the foliage changes color from green to bronze, keeping it until spring. At the same time, the second stage of flowering occasionally begins (September). Badan is planted in an alpine hill, on a rocky slope, among boulders and stones, since its root system is superficial, creeping.
They coexist well with sage, wormwood, sedge, lungwort,.
Growing badan
For planting, choose a shady place if you need green areas or semi-shady if you want to see this primrose bloom.
Badan grows well in drained, loose, moist soil with a neutral to alkaline pH, but even in heavy clay soil it can surprise you. In the lowland, the plant does not develop and the root system dies from constant dampness. It is best to choose the north side of the house or at the foot of a tall hedge.
Growing badan from seeds begins in March:
- Pour soil mixture into a wooden box for seedlings (humus sand and loam in a 1: 1: 1 ratio).
- Make grooves 3 cm apart, 0.5 cm deep, moisten them with warm water and sow seeds sparsely.
- Place the box with plantings in a room where the temperature is 18-20 ° C.
- Water regularly and after 3-4 weeks, when sprouts appear, apply.
In early June, plant the seedlings in a permanent place:
- To do this, make holes 5-6 cm deep according to the 40x40 cm scheme.
- Pour some sand at the bottom, place the seedlings and cover them with soil mixture (sod, loamy soil, humus sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1).
- After planting bergenia, mulch, and cover with fallen leaves, straw or peat for the winter.
With a seed planting method, flowering begins 3-4 years after planting.
Care
In the spring, for the fastest growth, watered with warm water, in moderation, avoiding stagnation.
Remove dry inflorescences in autumn. In the spring, old shoots are cut off, and the young are covered. Then fertilize with complex mineral fertilizer (Kemira-Lux), repeating feeding 2 weeks after flowering.
From frequent transplants, the badan begins to hurt, so it is better to determine in advance a site for it for at least 5-6 years.
Badan can be affected by spotting. Leaves with signs of the disease are cut with pruning shears, and the plant itself is sprayed with foundation.
Propagation of bergenia by cuttings and dividing the bush
- Reproduction by green cuttings. Immediately after flowering, in the middle of summer, separate the young rosettes with part of the horizontal rhizome (heel) and 3 buds. Remove the leaves, leaving only 2-3 young leaves and plant to the base of the rosette. After 2-3 weeks, rooting will take place and flowering will begin in 2-3 years.
- Propagation by rhizome cuttings. Young berry roots grow close to the surface of the earth, so it is easy to dig them out without injuring the main root. At the beginning of September, separate from the aerial part of the rhizome the segments of roots up to 20 cm long, on which there will be 3 buds. Plant them at a distance of 30-50 cm from each other in a horizontal position, deepening to half.
- The division of the bush is carried out in late August - early September every 4-5 years, dividing the bush into sections so that each has a bud of renewal. After planting, water abundantly for 14 days.
Badan is an evergreen plant that can transform any corner of the garden throughout the year. The Latin name is bergenia, but the people often use the first option. The plant is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and resistance to adverse conditions, therefore it is very appreciated by gardeners. Anyone can plant and take proper care of this flower, even one who has absolutely no experience in gardening.
Finding a place for growing badan on the site will not be difficult, since it fits perfectly into the composition of alpine slides, complements the landscapes of reservoirs and is in harmony with other crops in group plantings. Sometimes it is planted as an accent element, but the species quickly spreads, conquering the space around it and growing into a continuous curtain.
general characteristics
Badan is a separate genus of the saxifrage family, which includes 10 species. Since Siberia and Altai are the birthplace of culture, the flower is naturally endowed with high resistance to low temperatures, therefore it can be successfully cultivated in different climates.
In nature, bergenia chooses wet areas for itself on slopes or in river valleys, in forests and in dense plantings, where you can find enough dampness and where the sun's rays do not penetrate well. The flower is especially noticeable in early spring after the snow cover melts and from under it you can see powerful large leaves that have wintered under the snow. Because of the characteristic shape of the leaves, badan is popularly called "elephant ears". The foliage is collected in root rosettes, which form neat clumps during the first year.
With warming, the first peduncles appear on the bergenia, rising high above the outlet. The flowering of this plant is impressive. On a flowering shoot up to 50 cm high, a large number of small inflorescences of white, cream, scarlet, pink or lilac color are revealed. Up to 120 buds can develop on one flowering shoot, which will gradually open.
After a long flowering, the fruit-boxes ripen, in which there is a large number of seeds. After that, by the fall, the foliage begins to acquire a red or brown hue, this color will persist throughout the winter. In some years, flowering can occur again in the fall, if weather conditions favor this.
A culture can grow in one place for many years, sometimes even decades, without requiring a transplant and without losing its decorative effect.
Beneficial features
Often, gardeners and summer residents are encouraged to grow badan not only by the love of beautiful flowers, but also by its beneficial properties, which have long been known to people. A special tea is made from it, which is called Chigir or Mongolian. To do this, they take dark overwintered leaves and brew them, getting a fragrant and tasty drink.
The medical value of bergenia is explained by the presence of flavonoids and tannins in all terrestrial organs (leaves, stems, seeds). They also contain copper, manganese, vitamins and biologically active substances. The rhizome contains polyphenols, resins, starch and other useful substances.
Badan is also recognized by official medicine, which recommends its use in the treatment of pulmonary diseases, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, as an anti-inflammatory agent, for hypertension and to restore the skin after wounds or burns.
But it is important to remember that there are certain contraindications for the use of this medicinal plant: it can provoke constipation or cause a sharp drop in pressure. It is also not suitable for those who have problems with blood clotting.
Varieties and varieties
There are 10 types of bergenia in the wild, but not all of them are suitable for growing at home. On the basis of some of them, varieties have been developed, the care of which can be successfully carried out in gardens or in summer cottages.
The most common varieties of badan:
- Thick-leaved... The name indicates the special shape of the leaf plates. They contain a significant supply of nutrients that are consumed under adverse conditions. It grows at an altitude of 700-2500 m above sea level, prefers cedar forests. Curtains grow slowly. A medium flowering variety that usually begins flowering in June and lasts almost a month. Does not bloom again in autumn. On the basis of thick-leaved bergenia, hybrids Purpurea, Giderruspe and Senor were bred.
- Strechi... Found in the Himalayas, Afghanistan, Central Asia and China. He prefers places up to 3000 m above sea level. Botanists consider the variety to be relict. Late flowering occurs very beautifully, the flowers are quite large, protruding 40 cm above the ground. The most notable hybrids are Alba and Beethoven.
- Hearty... It has a heart-shaped or rounded dark green foliage with a very dense structure. An early flowering variety that often blooms again in August or September. If in spring the buds are pink in color, then by autumn they can be lighter.
- Hissarian... It is very rare, and it grows only in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Gissary mountain range, therefore it is endemic. A characteristic feature is a powerful rhizome and obtuse oblong leaves. A small plant that produces only 20-25 buds.
- Pacific. The species with the longest flowering, which begins in late April-early May, and ends in late June-early July. On a high flowering shoot, lush inflorescences are formed on top, similar to small bells. Feels great among rocky soils, so it is often grown on alpine hills.
- Hybrid... It is the result of long-term work of breeders and includes the most beautiful forms. The most popular among them are Abenglut, Baby Doll and Schneekenigin. The only drawback is less frost resistance compared to other forms.
Growing seedlings
For propagation of badan, the seedling method is used with the cultivation of new specimens from seeds or the usual transplantation of adult plants. The seedling method is in no way inferior to conventional vegetative propagation, but it allows you to simultaneously grow a large number of young specimens at a lower cost.
Sowing seedlings
They do this in October-November, when the weather is already quite cold outside. The seeds are planted to a depth of 5 cm and watered with warm water. All winter crops should overwinter outdoors under a layer of snow.
Crops are brought into the house in the first weeks of March and placed in a place with a temperature of 18 ° C. After three to four weeks, the first shoots will begin to appear. From that moment on, caring for them consists in regular watering without the appearance of a dry crust on the surface of the earth and thinning dense plantings. The soil must be carefully loosened so that air constantly flows to the young roots.
Picking
In May, young shoots dive into separate containers, where they grow for about a month, increasing the green mass and roots. Caring for cut seedlings remains exactly the same as for seedlings.
After it becomes noticeable that fresh growth appears on young plants, they should be accustomed to open ground conditions. To do this, they are taken out on the street or on an open balcony every day, where they first spend a couple of hours a day. Gradually, the time spent outdoors is increased, and after they spend a couple of nights outside, the seedlings are ready for planting in open ground.
The flowering of bushes grown from seeds will begin only after three to four years.
Landing in open ground
Growing badan in the open field will be successful if you choose the right conditions that are as close as possible to their natural habitat.
Time
Regardless of whether a seedling grown from seed or an adult plant is planted, the timing remains the same. Experts believe that the best time for this is late May or early June. At this time, frosts will no longer be able to damage delicate plants, since bergenia has sufficient cold-resistant potential.
If the sprouts look weak and there are doubts that they will survive the transplant, you can postpone this event until August, leaving them in pots in the garden for the summer.
Seat selection
When choosing a place, it must be borne in mind that the root system of the badan has a surface structure and does not penetrate deeply into the soil, therefore the earth must be permeable and loose. The flower reacts to stagnant water by slowing down its growth and deteriorating flowering, but only in the case of insufficient drainage. If drainage is provided at a sufficient level, then it will successfully develop even on the banks of artificial or natural reservoirs, requiring minimal maintenance.
It is important to make sure that the soil reaction is neutral or slightly alkaline. You can prepare the soil in advance by mixing coarse sand, rotted compost and peat substrate.
Often in the process of growing, the upper roots are exposed and direct sunlight is detrimental to them, so the site should be located in partial shade. Northern, northeastern or northwest locations on the site are ideal.
Landing technique
Planting bergenia is not difficult. It is necessary to carry out it according to the following algorithm:
- dig small planting holes about 8-10 cm deep;
- the free distance between adjacent holes should be at least 40 cm;
- drainage from sand, gravel or expanded clay is placed at the bottom of each hole;
- the plant is moved into the hole, trying not to damage the earthen lump in which it developed;
- all voids are filled with a substrate;
- fresh plantings are watered with sufficient water;
- the beds are mulched after watering to prevent the overgrowth of weeds and excessive drying out of the soil in between waterings.
Mulching the ground should not be neglected, as this minimizes bergenia care.
Care and cultivation
Care for berry growing in the open field is reduced to a minimum of agrotechnical measures, so it is easily grown even in those dachas and plots where the owners visit only a few times per season.
Watering
This culture does not apply to those requiring frequent and abundant watering, but without periodic moistening of the soil, flowering will be short and meager.
If the spring is dry, then the first watering is advisable as soon as the buds appear on the plant. The second watering is necessary with abundant flowering, and the last one - a month after flowering.
In the event that natural rains occur at intervals of two to three weeks, you do not need to additionally water the flower.
Top dressing
Like any culture, badan reacts very well and quickly to fertilizing. Proper care involves several fertilization applications during the growing season:
- After the snow cover melts, you can add a mineral complex for green plants or a universal mixture in which nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium will be present. This will give an impetus not only to the growth of foliage, but also to the formation of full-fledged buds.
- Re-feeding is needed after flowering is complete. The signal for the introduction of the mineral complex is the appearance of new foliage, which will have time to ripen and harden before the cold snap.
Pruning
After the snow cover completely melts in the first spring months, the plant needs to be cleaned of old, damaged or dried leaves. Their removal will not only increase the decorativeness of the planting, but also initiate a more active growth of young greenery.
After the flowers on the shoots wither in the summer, you will need to remove them. To do this, it is not enough to remove the withered buds: it is necessary to cut off the entire flowering shoot to the base, since the remaining flower stalk can cause pathogens to populate.
If all the basic rules of growing and care are observed, then the clumps will grow, delighting each year with more and more numerous flowers and lush greenery on the site.