Bergenia ‘Ballawley Guardsman’

There is little information on this relatively unknown Irish cultivar which is suspected to be a synonym of 'Ballawley' due to the introduction of a mossy saxifrage under the same name (1941) from Mrs Shaw Smith’s Ballawley Alpine Nursery in Ireland, which also introduced Bergenia 'Ballawley' c.1940. No name or description for Bergenia 'Ballawley Guardsman' has been traced in nursery catalogues and further investigation is required.

Christopher Hallsworth suggests it is a very rare selection from the Ballawley Hybrids and is noted for its improved flowers and winter colour. It is quite distinct from the 'Ballawley' stock with large, saucer like flowers blushed the softest pink held in apple green-red calyces. Some of the finest and possibly the most attractive Bergenia flowers.

This clone was found growing at NTS Greenbank Garden and is likely to have come from Chris’ National Collection.