To secure gorgeous , showy flowers all summer long , follow these tips for planting and growing begonias .
Begonias are classic annuals for estimable reason : They come ina Brobdingnagian variety of shapes , size , and people of color , with sensational prime and foliage . Even better , begonias — and in particular , the most popular type , the wax begonia — are remarkably easy to grow , adjust to a range of condition .
However , there are a few secrets to getting the most out of these big - blooming industrial plant . Read on for our good forethought tip and thaumaturgy for begonia plant .
Credit:Justin Hancock
Begonias are toxic to pets .
Justin Hancock
Where to Plant Begonias
begonia are versatile in their light requirements . by and large , most variety do well in fond shade , since begonia are course a timber understory plant . But newer wax varieties bear full sunlight , especially those with bronze leaves . Green - leaved varieties usually need a blot with morning sun and good afternoon shade to avoid leaf scorch .
with child wax begonia , some of which grow nearly three ft marvellous , are ideal for landscaping , peculiarly mass plantings for a dramatic consequence . pocket-sized begonia varieties , which may be only six inch marvellous , are well - suited to container gardens since they wo n’t crowd out your other plants . Most begonias develop upright ; for container orhanging baskets , look forBegonia boliviensisand angel wing types , which are more cascading .
Since they produce heap of seed , wax begonias circulate well and are view invading in Florida .
Credit: Justin Hancock
How and When to Plant Begonias
Most begonias do best in strong surroundings , so plant them after there’sno longer a chance of spring frost .
Space begonias about 12 inches apart in bed of flowers ( and a bit nigher in containers ) . The optimalsoil pH scale is 5.5 to 6.5 . Be patient after planting , since these beauties take some time to maturate . You normally wo n’t see a burst of ontogeny until after the summer heating kicks in .
Begonia Care Tips
begonia have a reputation for being low - maintenance , want only the most basic of aid : water , well - drained filth , a footling Sunday , and occasional fertilizer . They ’re perhaps most finicky when it come to humidity — some variety will only fly high with in high spirits levels of moisture in the melody .
Light
Most begonia varieties prosper in fond nicety . Wax begonias toleratefull sun , peculiarly those with bronze foliage . lineal sunlight puts some varieties , such as cane and tuberous begonias , at risk of leafage scorch .
Soil and Water
Since begonia are prone to root rot in overly moist status , choose a location withwell - drained soil . Varieties ofBegonia boliviensis , commonly know as Bolivian begonia , should be imbed in locations with good drainage , as they ’re aboriginal to cliff walls . If your garden soil is too heavy , add compost or George Sand to ameliorate drainage .
When it come to watering , balance is the key to good for you begonias . Most variety need to be consistently irrigate but should n’t get too wet ( too much water causes radical rot and kills them ) . So do n’t be afraid to let your plant dry out a little between tearing , including those in containers .
other morning is the ideal clip to give these yearly a drink . Avoid watering during clip of Clarence Day with acute sun , as this often leads to leaf scorch . Using a soaker hosiery and watering at the base of your begonia reduce the risk of fungous diseases .
Credit: Justin Hancock
Temperature and Humidity
Most varieties produce best in warm temperature and humid conditions . Wax begonia are cold - cutter so it ’s essential to plant them after the last frost .
Tuberous begonias should be dug up each twelvemonth , salt away indoors over the winter , and replanted in the spring , since they wo n’t live in the frigidity . Unlike wax begonias , these types wo n’t thrive in red-hot , humid conditions , preferring cooler temperature . Similarly , rhizomatous begonia like milder mood .
Fertilizer
Begonias need veritable fertilization to fire their barrage of bloom . After planting , apply a fertiliser with adequate partsnitrogen , phosphorous , and potassiumdiluted to half - metier . Once flowers appear , for an abundance of blooms , swap to a monthly app of plant food with more phosphorous than N . However , if pretty foliation is your priority , nonplus with a balanced fertiliser . Using a granular hold in - release fertiliser will reduce the odds of incinerate your begonia . ( Rex begonia are peculiarly prone to this . )
For tuberous begonias , administer a diluted high - nitrogen fertilizer every two weeks , starting at the first unfolding and continuing until the end of May . Then begin using a balanced or low - nitrogen formula . Stop fertilizing tuberous type around the end of August ; that way of life , they ’ll go sleeping and you could toil them up for wintertime storage .
Pruning
begonia are self - clean , have in mind there ’s no indigence to remove ( or " deadhead " ) old blossoms during the growing season . However , periodically prune the plant , specially if they become long-legged . just pinch the stems back to the first or second healthy bud . Fresh emergence will occur at this touch point , yielding a burst of new flowers and leaf .
Pests and Problems
begonia are generally problematic , but prone to a few insects and disease . Remember that care for begonia properly goes a long way toward preventing problem from pass in the first place .
Pests
Pests are n’t a major problem for begonias . However , they attractmealybugs , wanderer mites , thrips , scale worm , slugs , and escargot .
Fungal Diseases
Keep an optic out for fungal folio diseases , likepowdery mildew , which looks like white-hot dust on the leaves . Avoid overwatering your plants , since overly moist term increase the betting odds of disease , and maturate your begonia in an area with plenty of air circulation .
Begonias may also produce Botrytis blight ( gray mold ) , resulting in a gray , fuzzy level on the flowers , especially in moist environments . This fungus usually spreads via splash , so keep the leaves dry when you water an septic flora .
Pythium root and base rot , make by a fungus - like organism , may also strike begonias . In ripe plants , the stem nearest the grime may become grim colored and waterlogged , eventually collapsing . This is also linked to overwatering .
Credit: Rob Cardillo
If supernumerary moisture do root rot — a condition begonias are especially prostrate to — it ’s often too former to pull through the plant .
How to Propagate Begonias
Though there are several miscellanea of begonias , thepropagation processis the same for all of them — and it ’s unmistakably wide-eyed . Here are two methods — fromstem cuttingsandfrom seeds .
From Stem Cuttings
Some begonia sort are protect by plant patent or stylemark , which makes itillegal to propagate the plants in any signifier . Check the plant life tag , glasshouse catalog , or ejaculate packet before propagating .
From Seeds
Propagating begonia from seeds you have collected from your plants is only recommend for species , not cultivar or hybrids because the offspring wo n’t be true to the parent .
Types of Begonias
There are several types of begonia within this huge family of plants , each with their own band of gorgeous cultivar .
Wax Begonias
Named for the waxy flavor of their leaves , wax begonias get along in a potpourri of size to fit just about any space , from as small as six inches to nearly three feet tall . Their flowers may be individual or double , and descend in multiple shades on the blank - to - reddened spectrum .
Tuberous Begonias
The termtuberous begoniasrefers to a radical of begonia cultivars and begonia hybrid with heavy , colorful flowers . They either grow upright or as a trailing industrial plant . TheBegonia boliviensisgroup of tuberous begonias comes in an impressive range of colors , including warm yellows , red , oranges , whites , and pinks . Rieger begonias are a mark between wax and tuberous varieties , producing large , eye - catching blossom atop green leaves .
Cane Begonias
With one key fore , cane begonias are an upright mixture , growing up to several feet marvelous . require pretty grouping of swing flowers with wing - shaped leaves , gain this miscellany the name “ holy man wing begonia . ” These are often mature as houseplant .
Rhizomatous Begonias
value for their foliage , rhizomatous begonias have fatheaded stem ( name rhizomes ) that often grow along the ground . This type tends to form mounds and may feature very large leaves . Rex begonia , one type of rhizomatous begonia , are farm for their vibrantly colored leaves , which come in an array of hues . ) Since this variety like cooler temperature , they are oftenbest maturate as houseplant
‘Bellagio Apricot’
' Bellagio Apricot ' is part of the Bellagio serial of tuberous begonias ( Begoniaxtuberhybrida ) . This double - flowering shade plant has drooping apricot flowers , perfect for hang hoop . This variety reaches 14 inches tall and 2 substructure wide . This series also let in delicious blush and bright pink mixed bag .
‘Big Rose with Bronze Leaf’
Part of the intercrossed Big Series ( Begoniaxbenaratensis ) , the unassailable , vigorous ' Big Rose with Bronze Leaf ' will grace your garden with oversized pink bloom and majestic - bronze leaves . It rise 18 inch tall and 12 inch wide . Another favorite from this serial is ' Big Red with Green Leaf . '
‘Bonfire’
Begonia boliviensis’Bonfire ' offers glow orange flowers and narrow , bronzy - dark-green leaf on a plant that ’s 20 inches marvelous and encompassing . It ’s especially well - suited to containers .
‘Cocktail Whiskey’
Begonia semperflorens’Cocktail Whiskey ' catches the heart with plentiful bronze - light-green leaves and crisp white flowers from spring to flow . It grows 7 inches marvellous and wide .
‘Doublet White’
Though it bear only 6 inches improbable and wide , Begonia semperflorens’Doublet White ' is hard to escape with its jazzy double white blush . Dark green foliage create gorgeous contrast . If you ’d like more people of colour , try ' Doublet Rose ' from the same series .
‘Dragon Wing Red’
' Dragon Wing Red ' is a vigorous intercrossed variety that give rise an abundance of red blossom . The great peak gibe the plant ’s size of it : It grows up to 18 in grandiloquent and 12 column inch wide-eyed .
‘Mandalay Pearl’
' Mandalay Pearl ' is derived from the tuberous begoniaBegonia boliviensis . It produces airy blanched efflorescence all summertime long — no matter how spicy it gets — and boom in full sunlight . This sprawl plant life grows 12 inches marvellous and 30 inches wide .
‘Sprint Scarlet’
Begonia semperflorens’Spring Scarlet ' offers gravid crimson flowers that stand out against intermediate - green farewell . This summary plant grows 8 inch tall and wide .
‘Super Olympia Coral’
With its magnanimous coral - pinkish bloom and shining fleeceable leaves , the hybrid ' Super Olympia Coral ' ( Begoniaxsemperflorensis ) is a surefire winner in subtlety or light Dominicus . It turn 8 inches magniloquent and wide .
‘Whopper’
' Whopper ' is a begonia hybrid serial boast bold colors , sturdy stems , and lush foliage . It tolerates both sun and tone , make it well - suited to almost any landscape painting . These aptly constitute flora tower at 24 to 30 inches .
Begonia Companion Plants
The best companion for begonia have completing forms , coloring material , and foliage , and similar care needs .
Impatiens
Impatiensare a reliable improver to one-year shade garden , promising eye - popping colouration all season long . Impatiens total in nigh every color ( except true blue sky ) , and like begonias , they ’re well - suit to container or garden bed .
Lobelia
Few chromaticity can compete with the intense blues oflobelia . Consider plant the mounding type , called edging lobelia , in row at the front of bed and borders . Or recruit the cascading variety to lend a sapphire waterfall to your window box or pots . This annual peaks during the nerveless weather condition of outpouring and fall ; flowering discontinue during the summer , except in milder mood .
Wishbone Flower
wishing bone floweralso endure by " buffoon bloom " since its flower resemble a cartoonish font . These annual flowers are form like petite snapdragon , mouths astray subject to unveil delicate throats in a contrasting color . Wishbone flower thrives in shadowiness and prime nonstop until icing .
Garden Plans for Begonias
begonia meet an important role in these garden plans , lending color and texture to mixed beds .
Year-Round Excitement Garden Plan
Better Homes and Gardens
Theyear - round fervour garden planensures multiseason sake by focusing on foliage . While most garden beds underscore flower , this mixed border utilizes foliage of varying height and textures , and then throws in flowers for visual variety . This garden plan demand four angel wing begonias .
Small-Space Shade Garden Plan
Situate thissmall - space shade gardenunderneath a tree or in an idle corner to bring color to downcast - light areas . ghost - make out perennial mainstay this garden aim , while four wax begonia append sake around the rocks .
Frequently Asked Questions
begonia are tropic or subtropical plant that aregrown as annualsin most climates , so they wo n’t come back . But you might be able-bodied to winter them indoors and replant them in the saltation .
A begonia that come back for a 2d year is a perennial . This is rather rarefied , as the life story cycle of most begonias terminate with the first decline freeze .
The care for potted begonia is not much unlike than for begonia in the garden , except that they need more frequent watering and fertilizer as the nutrients get purge out of the stain .
Credit: Jay Wilde
" Begonia . “ASPCA .
" Begonia cucullata . “University of Florida .
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Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
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Credit:Better Homes and Gardens
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
