For shady spots in northern gardens , begonias are a favourite choice . They grow well with just a bit of sun , come in a wide range of bloom colors , leaf type and size and are relatively easy to grow .
So Many Begonias
The genusBegoniaincludes more than 2,000 species and thousands more cultivar . Home gardeners are most familiar with three type that are grow as annual or houseplants : fibrous , tuberous and rhizomatous . A fourth type , Begonia grandis , can not withstand our moth-eaten winter and are grow as perennials in USDA Hardiness Zone 6 and higher .
Viking Explorer Rose on Green begonia is an All America Selections plant for 2022. Photo courtesy of All-America Selections
sinewy begonia let in wax and saint - wing begonia and other popular annual . They have waxy leaves and lots of blooms . Popular cultivar includeDragon Wingor the Cocktail serial . They look terrific in hang baskets or container ,
Tuberous begoniasare all about the bloom , with undivided and double flowers and tons of color options , from pretty pale yellowness to bass , deep red . They make a standout plus to fishy patio planters , window box or any shady spot you ’d like to brighten with color .
Rhizomatous begoniasare grow chiefly as leafage houseplants , though they really make a statement in containers with their eddy , veined , multicolored leaves . king typesare the most popular subtype of rhizomatous begonia .
What a Begonia want
These are not unmanageable plant life to grow indoors or out . In containers , they like a loose , well - drained potting mix , consort to theAmerican Begonia Society . For Sunday , they jazz getting a short good morning Lord’s Day or some dappled light throughout the sidereal day , but they can take a passel of shade . These are fond time of year works ( most are native to South America and southerly Africa ) so they do best when nighttime temperatures are above 55 degrees . Do n’t look sharp to plant your begonias !
They grow best with regular but not excessive watering and they are prone to rot if the roots are sitting in water . Like all annuals , they take a regular , light app of fertilizer to flower continually .
keep Them Through Winter
While it ’s fun to try different types of begonias each twelvemonth , you’re able to winter begonias in Minnesota . Wax begonias are the easiest : just leave them in their container and bring them in the house . ( You may require to isolate the plants for a few weeks in case they brought louse in with them . Or treat them with an organic insecticide , such as NEEM oil , before bringing them in . ) Indoors , place them in a bright window .
Tuberous begonia can be stored through the winter in the same fashion peoplestore dahliasandgladiolus . Dig the Tuber before there is a frost . Spread the Tuber on a shelf or the solid ground to dry out and bring around for a calendar week , then backpack them in paper bags or boxes with some kind of dry material . Thisblog posthas some majuscule tips for storing begonias .
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