It is hard to imagine that Bergenias are high alpines, but there are Chinese and Himalayan species that come from high in the mountains, in sheltered places on cliffs or in the lee of the high-altitude trees or rhododendrons. They make clumps or mats of large, rounded, glossy leaves which are attractive in their own right, and have panicles of bell-shaped flowers, in shades of pink or white. There are also many cultivated varieties.

Bergenia 'Abendglut' has semi-double flowers of a strong rosy red-pink colour, in this variety held not much above the leaves. These are not as glossy as in some varieties, but are tinted red, making a fine background for the flowers.