Pigsqueak, of the Bergenia species
This is:
A potpourri (below) of Bergenia species information as
a supplement to other articles.
A plant-based page rather than our usual topic-based page. It's
a pivot point, one list of links to ours and
others' articles that involve pigsqueak/Bergenia
species.
We're just introducing this set of perennial info pages. This
page is in process but Aster's
page is complete. We hope you'll take a look there and comment. Let
us know if the format was useful, share your suggestions, tell us
we shouldn't have this page at all... anything helps.
Pigsqueak (Bergenia cordifolia, taking its name from
the noise a skilled 
practitioner can make by rubbing a leaf
between thumb and forefinger) is useful as an evergreen groundcover
for late fall and early spring interest. The foliage develops plum
or maroon color for winter, and new glossy green leaves develop as
the spring bloom finishes.
Right: Bergenia cordifolia in bloom. Varieties have
been selected for deeper pink- and near-white flowers as well as
for larger leaves.
Bergenia cordifolia may be the most hardy pigsqueak
(USDA zone 3) but B. crassifolia from Siberia and B.
purpurascens from the Himalayas are hardy to zone 4 and split
the prize for the deepest purple winter color.
Gardeners in USDA zone 6 can grow the most floriferous garden
pigsqueak, B. ciliata.
Read more about pigsqueak
(Bergenia):
Topic:
subtopic: Article name/link