Blooms promise a spectrum of spring color
The begonia family offers a wide array of choices for both sun and shade. Most gardeners know the toughness of a wax-leaf begonia, with small red, pink or white blooms, or the larger, more dramatic Dragon Wing begonia. But did you know that there are 2,000 species of begonias and many more cultivars, mostly native to tropical areas in Africa, Asia and Central and South America?
Some are grown for their dramatic flowers, like the showy tuberous begonias, while others are grown for their showy foliage. Some begonias will take full sun, while others thrive in heavy shade. All begonias need well-drained soil. While most gardeners grow begonias as seasonal annuals, Begonia grandis is a perennial for us, and there are many others that can overwinter indoors or be permanent houseplants.
| Type of Begonia | Growth Habit | Varieties |
|---|---|---|
| Semperflorens or Wax – 20 species and over 1,000 cultivars | Semperflorens means ever-blooming in Latin, and these begonias bloom non-stop all season. Mainly grown as a warm-season bedding plant, these low-growing mounded plants have either green or bronze foliage with red, pink or white single or double blooms. Sun or shade. | Prelude series and Senator series; Double Up is a double-flowering form. |
| Interspecific – hybrids or crosses between two or more types of begonias | This is becoming the most popular form of begonia on the market. Wide range of plant sizes and forms. | Dragon Wing and the yellow-foliaged Canary Wings – both need afternoon shade. Baby Wing – smaller, sun or shade. Hula – spreading plant up to 18 inches tall. Whopper, Big, Megawatt – large wax-leaf type of plants. Birthday Bash is double-flowering. |
| Rex and Rhizomatous | Grown for their multicolored leaves and texture. Occasionally, you will get small blooms, but they are not as showy as the foliage. Huge variety in leaf patterns and colors. All need excellent drainage and shade. | Cherry Fields, Escargot, Fireworks, Jurassic series, Royal Blush and Salsa. |
| Tuberous | Most showy of all begonia blooms. Can struggle in the heat of an Arkansas summer. Best grown in a container or pot in a bright area with no direct sunlight. Wide range of colors. Worth growing even for a short while. | Nonstop series. |
| Cane-like – 81 species and over 2,000 cultivars | New shoots grow straight and unbranched, similar to young bamboo plants. Once they reach a mature size or you pinch the stems, they will branch out. Large leaves, which can be green, spotted or textured, can grow 1-10 feet tall. Clusters of blooms in white, pink, red or orange. Need morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered sunlight. | Angel Wing, Gryphon, Looking Glass, My Special Angel, Pagoda, Begonia grandis. |