Begonia semperflorens
The delicate, yet bushy look of a pot full of red or pink begonias is sure to please as it has done since the Victorian era.
These tropical and subtropical annuals are inexpensive and easily found in the market place.
Begonia semperflorens-cultorum was named for its long blooming period.
Semperflorens meaning “ever blooming.”
The genius begonia is unusual because all 1,500 plus species can be hybridized with one another, even those that originated on different continents.
The genius was named in honor of Michel Begon, a French amateur botanist who collected begonias while stationed in Santo Domingo with the French Navy, (1638-1710).
The common name, wax begonia refers to the waxy sheen of the green leaves.
These popular plants are prized for their constant bloom and the uniformity of size and shape.
The plants grow with single or double one inch flowers six to eighteen inches high, with a nice spread of about twelve inches.
The waxy foliage can be green, bronze, or red. The flowers are in shades of red, pink or white the flowers are not for cutting; they do well in hanging baskets, in pots, or as boarder plants. A mass planting in dappled or moderate shade is very attractive.
There are some sun varieties, but remember our sun is pretty hot in mid summer and the plants will need to have more watering.
Some verities will grow big and bushy so read the plant marker. I purchased a hugh red wax begonia, in a hanging basket , last year at the Edison Estates.
The plants are mostly pest free, however a mass planting may show some leaf spot if plants become too crowded. You can just trim the plant or pull out one or two.
Begonias will grow in just about any soil that has good drainage. While they are not considered drought tolerant they will be fine after they are watered in and have acclimated to their spot.
A weekly watering with sprinkler system should be fine unless plants are in full sun. Pinching back the flowers and regular fertilizing will produce wonderful colorful, bushy plants all summer. Wax begonia can be started by seed. I have never done that, I prefer to purchase starter plants and see the colors right away. These plants can be started as cuttings and even grown in the house. A house grown plant should not be taken from a sunny spot and expected to survive well in the darker home environment.
I should mention another large mounding annual, the melampodium paludosum. The Melampodium has a big name and a big mounding growth habit. Tiny golden yellow flowers are scattered profusely among the dark green leaves. The plant grows about 10 to 15 inches high. It mounds so nicely and looks great setting atop a garden pedestal or nestled in an old birdbath. A bird bath without a drainage hole does not drain well so you will have to tip out water off and on. I do this all the time and it is one of the easiest garden chores ever.
This plant is for full sun. It will tolerate dappled shade but blooms its little hearts out in the full sun.
Although not drought tolerant, our summer rains should be enough, (we hope) to keep the plant happy. Mine is located within the high sweep of the sprinkler so it does get water once a week. I sprinkle some plant food around the base about the middle of August.
Even tho it is too hot to do much gardening I can’t resist something on sale, or a new store offering something a little different.
Keep cool and watch out for the hot sun and hungry mosquitoes.
Happy gardening until we meet again.
H. Jean Shields
Past President of
Garden Club of Cape Coral