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IN THIS guidebook

BEGONIA GUIDES

spiral begonia leaves in dark red and grey

Container GrowingDeadheadingFeedingHanging BasketsLeggyOverwinteringProblemsPropagationRe - PottingStarting TubersVarieties

Available in such a psyche - boggling raiment of species , cultivars , hybrids , begonias are among the most popular flowers for gardens and are pop as houseplants too .

Many may start by considering the color of the flowers on sure cultivar .

Silver Jewell begonia foliage

B. dregei

However , to make the right choice , it is first crucial to think about whichtypeof begonia to acquire .

begonia can be categorised according to whether they are grown out of doors , or as houseplants indoors .

They are further broken down harmonize to their root systems and growth habits , which check many component of their concern .

small begonia bush with red and yellow flowers

Outdoors , you could grow :

Indoors Begonia are typically carve up into :

As unsufferable as it is to cover the form of a genus whose species number to 1,900 - plus and whose cultivars pass 10,000 , below we ’ll take a looking at at each of the main class and suggest which varieties to grow within each of these.1A Taxonomic Revision Of Begonia Veitchii ( Begoniaceae ) . ( 2020).Edinburgh Journal of Botany,77(1 ) , 127–144.https://journals.rbge.org.uk / ejb / clause / download/1753/1644/4860

polkadot begonia with beautiful leaves and small white flowers

Our selection is also have in mind to represent at least some of the astonishing depth and comprehensiveness of this genus .

One multifariousness may be a sight to see in braggart beds and a related one along a big border , while others would be practiced for a delicacy hang basketful on the porch or a tiny pot on the parapet .

Expert Chosen Varieties

Before we get to our primary list , we asked Begonia expert Janeen Randle ( President of the Melbourne Begonia Society ) to share her favourite diverseness .

“ My preferent begonias to acquire are cane begonias and trailing varieties , ” says Janeen .

“ Begonias , particularly cane begonias , blossom for such a long time where I live so there is always colour in the garden . ”

begonia dregei growing from a black pot

B. dregei

“ The semi - tuberous speciesBegonia dregei , a native of South Africa also live as the ‘ Maple Leaf ’ begonia , is my front-runner , ” she explains .

“ This beautiful plant form a caudex at its base instead of a tuber and grows beautifully in a bonsai pot .

“ The hybrid Begonia ‘ Weltoniensis ’ also form a caudex and is among my pet .

Begonia x tuberhybrida blooming in a summer garden

“ I enjoy Rhizomatous and Rex begonia for   their striking , colourful , coarse-textured folio rather than their not - so - showy delicate flowers .

“ I am just venturing into growing tuberous begonias on a small exfoliation . ”

Tuberous Begonia For Outdoors

Begonia varieties within this group are typically derive fromBegoniaxtuberhybridaand assortment derived fromB. boliviensisare also widely available .

These Begonias grow from genus Tuber , which can be plant in spring .

B.xtuberhybridavarieties are respect for their bright colours and their long bloom period .

blooms of B. boliviensis ‘Waterfall Encanto Red’ spilling from hanging baskets

Plants carry both male and female flowers separately on the same specimen – the manly flush are the stars of the show .

B. boliviensisvarieties are complimentary anthesis and floriferous .

Some have excellent trailing or cascade physique which means they can be a great choice for raise container or pay heed basket .

leaves and flowers of B. boliviensis ‘Million Kisses Series’

Tuberous Begonias can be embed out in summer into beds and borders , but are peculiarly pop for growing in containers and hang baskets .

Container cultivation make it easier to lift and shop tubers in winter , so the plant life can be enjoy over multiple years .

Though often , these plants will be enjoyed only over a single season .

trailing flowers of hardy Begonia grandis

The ‘ Million Kisses ’ series has a image of works flower in dissimilar colours which have a semi - trailing habit and which are great for containers and hanging baskets .

‘ Yadev ’ aka ‘ devotedness ’ is one option in this image , with an Award of Garden Merit .

It has bright velvety red peak held on pink stems above lissome , acutely point fleeceable leave of absence edged in pale pink .

red flowers of B. grandis subsp. evansiana

Hardy Tuberous Begonia For Outdoors

Another class include those tuberous Begonia which are middling more hardy .

These can be alien plants to add to gay or part - shaded borders in the late summer .

With the protection of some mulch , they may be able to overwinter in the land in the mildest areas , especially if lay in a sheltered spot , perhaps at the ft of a warm , Confederacy - face wall .

pink, white and red flowers of Begonia semperflorens

However , the tuber should still be purloin in most areas and overwintered in dry depot at temperatures above 2 - 4 ° C .

The hardiest variety to try in this category isB. grandissubsp.evansiana .

This is audacious down to around 0 ° C .

beautiful white petals and yellow stamen of Ambassador Rose

This has olive immature leaves which are sometimes reddish underneath , and in the summer months , take over gently fragrant sick pinkish or white flower 2.3 cm in diameter .

Fibrous-Rooted Begonia For Outdoors

Fibrous - rooted Begonia – varieties ofB. semperflorens – are tender perennials but are commonly grown as yearly bedding plants .

These can be grow from ejaculate or buy as young plants .

They produce white , pink or crimson flowers throughout the summertime and up until the first frost .

striking foliage of Begonia ‘Evening Glow’

B.‘Evening Glow’

These are one of only a few bedding plants which can grow and bloom satisfactorily in partial nuance .

The ‘ Ambassador ’ Series ( e.g. ‘ Ambassador Rose ’ ) is one radical of loose - bloom Begonia of this type to consider .

This is a serial of spare - flowering bed Begonia develop to around 20 cm high , and blooming with flowers in a range of mountains of hues all summer long .

begonia ,metallica in a plant pot, with white painted timber boards in the background

Hardiness H1B.

Fibrous-Rooted Begonia For Indoors

For indoors growing , the first of the four chemical group are further fibrous - rooted Begonias .

These are tender perennials which have tumid and sometimes shrub - like base .

Some are grow for their flowers but typically , these are prized peculiarly for their prominent and bold foliage , which is often marked with silver or other hue .

B. Angel Wing plant with white flowers and green spotted leaves

B. metallicaandB. scharffiiare two well - have sex options within this group .

This bushy evergreen perennial grows to around a metre in pinnacle , and has tumid , striking leaves of a dark greenish metallic hue , with violent coloration on the veins and underside .

The foliage is the main attraction , but these plant also have small , haired pale pinkish flowers which are hold in fall .

begonia ‘lucerna’ houseplant in a white container

get in acidulous or neutral medium dirt .

Cane-Stemmed Begonia For Indoors

These Begonias are also fibrous - rooted , but they have woody and upright , bamboo - like stems with swollen node along their duration .

These Begonias are also prized as houseplants , primarily grown for their large , drooping flower which bloom over a relatively long period , and their marked foliage .

Most Begonia varieties in this category originate with plants which hail from Brazil .

foliage of ‘Iron Cross’ begonia

These includeB. maculataandB. stipulata .

This is a vigorous houseplant , with upright cane stems , olive green broadly ovate leaves heavily spotted with silver .

In the summer months , it bears large panicles of pinkish flowers 3 - 4 atomic number 96 across .

Begonia Rex plant growing outdoors

Grow in acidic or neutral culture medium in a warm indoor spot .

Rhizomatous Begonia For Indoors

Begonias of this category arise from a creeping rhizome .

These tender , evergreen perennial are foliage plants – grown and prized for their brightly colored leaves .

pop option within this family for use as houseplants includeB. rexandB. masoniana .

pinkish flowers of Begonia x hiemalis

This grows to around 30 cm grandiloquent , and has large leafage which are metallic green with a silvery surface zone on the upper surface of the leaves and a reddish colouration beneath .

Though peak are not the main attraction , the works also hold panicle of small pinkish flowers in winter .

There are some amazing foliage plant cultivars ofB. rex , include ‘ Namur ’ , ‘ Fireworks ’ and ‘ Green Sparkles ’ .

peach coloured flowers of B. Solenia Range

Semi-Tuberous Begonia For Indoors

These houseplant begonias are cultivar ofB.xhiemalis , also known asB.xelatior .

These varieties are hybrid betweenB. socotranaandB. tuberhybrida .

They are usually winter - bloom and are frequently grown by florists .

potted Begonia aconitifolia

They are not ideal for longsighted - terminal figure culture and so are usually cast away after they have flowered .

This is one reach of this type of houseplant Begonia , with a wide range of coloring , which can do and flower very well .

However , other Begonias will still in general be estimable choices if you want a houseplant that you’re able to love over a farseeing time period .

B. brevirimosa plant in a greenhouse setting

More Begonia Varieties

Of course , the alternative above are just a abbreviated introduction and just the steer of the iceberg when it comes to the many different Begonia you could prefer .

Here are thirteen more interesting begonia sort to turn , disregardless of their class or eccentric :

carry attractive slate - green leaves with fight down white streaks or spots , the flower is one of the most feminine in the genus , being pale pink with delicate petals arranged in panicles .

beautiful clumping white flowers of B. semperflorens ‘Doublet White’

A robust mintage reaching a acme of 3 one thousand , if anything its leafage is even more striking than the works , having variegate striping of forest special K and a brilliant mauve on broad , chunky leaves .

The olive green waxy leaves are moderately in themselves but the profusion of tiny two-fold blossoms of the ‘ Doublet ’ cultivar steal the show , with ‘ Doublet White ’ resemble balls of flossy coke .

Reminding one of a snail ’s eggshell , it has a distinct silvery curl or spiral on a slate - green background on a massive obtuse - to - round leaf whose petiole has noticeable red hairs

begonia escargot foliage with its interesting spiral shaped patterns

One of the rarer climbers , it has beautiful , smooth wavy , sea - gullible leaves which are more than touch by clusters of typical flowers having unpredictable creamy petal with a red centre .

One of the most charming of varieties and akin to hillside wild flower , this cultivar spreads and trails , showing off lush unripe foliation and childlike - form flowers in white , and pink and red shades .

Only 20 cm tall but broad and bushy , the works has smoky , bronze - green coloured leave of absence that are crinkly , almost frilled , at the edge , top off by idle green veins with deep red colouring on the underside

B. ’Illumination Apricot’ flowers

Sunset and fire more than apricot , the gorgeous mysterious yellow and orangish hues of the sprays of single and three-fold flowers atop textured , smoky , inscrutable immature leafage make for a dramatic works .

Bearing big broad leaves that are lightly ruck and almost cordate , it is the colour combination that is a work of prowess : viz . paint strap , streak , and spot of silver grey - to - cream on a deep light-green background .

breed to give stiff challenger to rose – or simply be mistaken for a rose ! – the ornate and showy flower is feminine and cranky , and comes in a narrow range of a function of colours from pink - tinged Elwyn Brooks White to a deep pink , with the pale pinkish potpourri being the showstopper .

foliage of begonia Silver Jewell

While the form of the leaves is striking enough , being dear - sagittate with toothed edges and a tart point , the burnished lamina with a purple - magenta hue and colored whiz at the base is the eye - dragger .

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