The Spectacular Spring-Blooming Flower That Thrives In Both Shade And Sun

If some parts of your yard are sunny while other parts are shady, it can be challenging to come up with a cohesive garden design as so many plants will only thrive in one part of your yard or the other. Luckily, there are versatile plants like pigsqueak (Bergenia crassifolia) which can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions and can easily unify your gardens. Pigsqueak doesn't just bring foliage to multiple different parts of yards, it also boasts stunning tubular flowers every spring. 

Pigsqueak, whose name comes from the noise its leaves make when rubbed, is native to East Asia. Fortunately, it isn't invasive in North America. This is a slow growing, easy going plant that thrives in a variety of conditions and brings pretty flowers and attractive foliage to gardens in zones 3 through 8 without any major downsides. It's even evergreen all year in many areas, making it a great way to add color and winter interest to gardens.

Pigsqueak is a surprisingly adaptable plant. Not only can it thrive in full sun, deep shade, and everything in between, but it's also tolerant of a range of soil conditions. While it prefers rich soil, everything from sandy to clay-heavy soil is fine for growing pigsqueak. It is also not picky about soil pH. While it may benefit from a bit of watering if you have an extended dry spell, pigsqueak is considered relatively drought-tolerant. It is also rarely bothered by deer, making it perfect for anyone struggling to repel deer from their yard or garden.  

Because pigsqueak only grows to about a 1 1/2 feet tall, it can be a great option for a ground cover or for adding color to the front of garden beds. Just be aware that it isn't particularly aggressive or fast growing, so it may not be the best option for outcompeting weeds. You can find pigsqueak cultivars with a range of flower colors, from the bright red flowers of 'Bressingham Ruby' to the pure white of 'Ciliata'. Different cultivars also boast different leaf shades as well, so you're bound to find at least a few that will fit into your gardens perfectly. While pigsqueak is a perennial that's usually found flowering in spring, and primarily provides winter interest through its foliage, gardeners in warmer areas may be treated to winter flowers if the weather is mild enough.