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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
When to plant begonias<\/h3>\n
The begonia season runs summer and late autumn before winter frosts and all year round as house plants. Begonias need a sheltered position with moist yet well-drained soil and will grow in semi shade and bright, indirect sunlight is preferred. They are tender perennials with hardiness ratings of RHS H1B to H2, and are suitable for gardens in USDA zones 10a-12. In a temperate climate, foliage begonias can be grown outside during the summer months, once the risk of frost is over.<\/p>\n
The best soil for begonias<\/h3>\n
The key begonia growing principle is: get the potting mix right at the start, and you\u2019re unlikely to encounter many issues. Essentially, soil should be light and airy but rich with organic matter. Adding leaf mould or homemade compost<\/a> to ordinary potting-on compost will give plants a good and lasting source of nutrients \u2013 they\u2019re not big feeders, and so a nutritionally enriched growing medium supersedes frequent doses of fertiliser.<\/p>\n
Mixing in vermiculite or grit will help with drainage, which is also very important. Begonias want to be moist but never drenched: water regularly, but allow the soil to dry out, at least in the top third of the pot, before replenishing. This will help prevent sciarid fly.<\/p>\n
Begonia diseases<\/h3>\n
Good hygiene will go a long way in helping begonias keep up appearances: snip away dead or diseased leaves, avoiding the build up of fungus<\/a>, such as powdery mildew, which can affect begonias. You may find occasional crisping at the leaf edges with plants grown indoors. This is usually a sign that conditions are too dry \u2013 as is often the case in a domestic setting \u2013 and a little water misting may be necessary to replicate the humid conditions the plants are accustomed to.<\/p>\n
A good tip for house plant cultivation is to group plants together, rather than spacing them out across a room. The cosiness provides additional warmth and traps moisture when plants are watered.<\/p>\n
How to care for begonias outdoors<\/h3>\n
Outdoors in the ground, aim for soil conditions similar to those in pots: by adding lots of drainage with, for example, horticultural grit to avoid water-logging, and plenty of incorporated organic matter, which in turn will help with aeration. Rhizomatous begonias can handle bright sunlight but perform well in semi shade, whether underplanting taller greenery, mixed into a burgeoning border or lining a narrow, well-trodden passageway where they will be enjoyed throughout the summer.<\/p>\n
How to begonias over winter<\/h3>\n
Keep a close eye on weather forecasts and ensure begonia plants are lifted and brought indoors well before the first frost. This is the ideal time for a health check up and a general service: excess soil can be carefully washed from the roots and replaced afresh; spent or curling leaves should be chopped away and a good pot chosen for overwintering indoors. Repot no more than a couple of sizes larger than the rootball to avoid sitting water.<\/p>\n
How to propagate begonias<\/h3>\n
Propagating begonias is wonderfully straightforward. The quickest and most effective method is by taking summer stem cuttings of between 3-5cm, and rooting them either in water or moist compost: no rooting powder necessary. Though not essential to growth, you can maintain humidity while plants are getting established by covering with a transparent container or polythene bag. Rooted cuttings can then be easily transferred and grown on in individual pots.<\/p>\n
The best begonias to grow in your garden<\/h2>\n
Begonia<\/em> \u2018Red Tempest\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
A tall, large-leaved Begonia rex that reaches up to a metre in height. Mottled, metallic swirls \u2013 with leaf veins painted dark green \u2013 lead to a deep central crimson patch that is mirrored dramatically at the leaf margins. 1m.<\/p>\n
Begonia<\/em> \u2018Connee Boswell\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
This cane begonia is grown for its deeply lobed, maple leaf outline and prominent maroon veins. This is a great foliage begonia for first time growers: dramatic yet robust. 1m. AGM*. RHS H1B, USDA 10a-11.<\/p>\n
Begonia<\/em> \u2018Green Gold\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Reveals ever-increasing complexity the more you gaze at it. A compact, low-growing Begonia rex cultivar its creamy-green blotches enhance the captivating swirl of its leaves. 35cm. AGM. RHS H1B, USDA 10a-11.<\/p>\n
Begonia<\/em> \u2018Ruby Celebration\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Clothed in Virginia-creeper red, it is great for offsetting container-grown flowers. The dark, mahogany veins and delicate blotches heighten its blazing effect. 40cm.<\/p>\n
Begonia<\/em> \u2018Dark Eyes\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
This is a great cultivar for creating impact. Its silver and crimson tones barely blend, offering a bi-coloured foliage that really stands out. A slightly larger, upright cane type. 50cm.<\/p>\n
Begonia<\/em> \u2018Benitochiba\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Its serrated leaflets spread from a dense shrubby structure. Young leaves are pink and become silver with age, while their veins soften from purple to forest green. 50cm. AGM. RHS H1B, USDA 10a-11.<\/p>\n
Begonia<\/em> \u2018Joyful Blaze\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
A tall and vigorous, rhizomatous Begonia rex cultivar. Beautifully dark, burgundy foliage with black veins develops quickly producing a good-sized plant within a single season. 35cm. RHS H1B, USDA 10a-11.<\/p>\n
Begonia sutherlandii<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
With abundant orange flowers that cascade in summer, this tuberous species is often associated with hanging baskets, but its cool-green leaves offer long-lasting tranquillity. 30cm. AGM. RHS H2.<\/p>\n
Begonia<\/em> \u2018Scherzo\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
A rare and rhizomatous, mid-sized cultivar that is ideal for illuminating a semi-shaded spot. Its leaves appear almost sugar coated in an icy white broken only by the cracks of questing veins. 30cm.<\/p>\n
Begonia hatacoa<\/em> \u2018Silver\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
An unusual cultivar with a low-growing habit, producing wonderfully light, spear-shaped leaves that spread to 30cm. It is well suited to a bright room or summer terrace container. 60cm.<\/p>\n
Begonia<\/em> \u2018Marmaduke\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
The foliage of this small cultivar is distinctly hirsute and vibrantly mottled in green and orange, and glowing red underleaf. White flowers from February to May. 30cm. AGM. RHS H1B.<\/p>\n
Begonia luxurians<\/em><\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
One of the best begonias for height, poise and tropical exuberance, it is a must-have species. Finely palmate leaves spread like a fan palm on cane stems. 1m. AGM. RHS H1B, USDA 10a-11.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Begonia<\/em> \u2018Curly Fireflush\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\u00a9 Jason Ingram<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
The accentuated leaf swirls make this a desirable cultivar. A complete covering of fine red hairs mute its colouration, emphasising instead its beautiful form. 40cm.\nRHS H1B, USDA 10a-11.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Where to buy and see begonias<\/h2>\n
\u2022 Dibleys Nurseries, Llanelidan, Ruthin, Denbighshire LL15 2LG. Tel 01978 790677, dibleys.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2022 Farmyard Nursery, Dol Llan Road, Llandysul, Carmarthenshire SA44 4RL. Tel 01559 363389, farmyardnurseries.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2022 Glasgow Botanic Gardens* 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0UE. Tel 0141 276 1640, glasgowbotanicgardens.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2022 Great Dixter, Northiam, Rye. East Sussex N31 6PH. Tel 01797 252878, greatdixter.co.uk<\/a> *National Collection holder<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Matt Collins is a garden writer and head gardener at the Garden Museum in London.<\/em><\/p>\n
Dibleys Nurseries Dibleys in North Wales, where these images were taken, is a multi RHS Gold Award-winning nursery that specialises in begonias and streptocarpus.\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/body><\/html>\n
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By Daisy Bowie-Sell Published: Wednesday, 25 May 2022 at 12:00 am Begonias are a genus of tender, flowering perennials made up of more than 1,000 species. Foliage species are becoming increasingly desirable for pots and mixed borders. They come from subtropical and tropical areas of South America (Begonia luxurians, Begonia solananthera and Begonia maculata are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":11386,"template":"","categories":[1,17,51],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"8"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/05\/begonias-how-to-care-for-plant-and-the-best-garden-begonias-scaled.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/05\/begonias-how-to-care-for-plant-and-the-best-garden-begonias-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/05\/begonias-how-to-care-for-plant-and-the-best-garden-begonias-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/05\/begonias-how-to-care-for-plant-and-the-best-garden-begonias-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/05\/begonias-how-to-care-for-plant-and-the-best-garden-begonias-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/05\/begonias-how-to-care-for-plant-and-the-best-garden-begonias-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/05\/begonias-how-to-care-for-plant-and-the-best-garden-begonias-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Daisy Bowie-Sell Published: Wednesday, 25 May 2022 at 12:00 am Begonias are a genus of tender, flowering perennials made up of more than 1,000 species. Foliage species are becoming increasingly desirable for pots and mixed borders. They come from subtropical and tropical areas of South America (Begonia luxurians, Begonia solananthera and Begonia maculata are…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/11385"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

The best begonias to grow in your garden<\/h2>\n