Begonias belong to the genus Begoniaceae, a flowering plant family that is native to the subtropical and tropical regions of South and Central America, Africa and Southern Asia. Unusually the genus has only one other family member in the form of the Hillebrandia, a flowering plant native to the Hawaiian Islands.
The name Begonia was coined in 1690 by Charles Plumier a French botanist monk who named the plant after the French Patron of Botany Honours, Michel Begon. The term Begonia is now used to describe all members of the genus as well as it being the common name. There are over 100 species of Begonia plants making it one of the largest genuses of flowering plants and also one of the most popular amongst gardeners in the UK and across the world.
The Begonia is both easy to grow and beautiful to look at with large showy flowers that come in an array of colours including white, pinks, scarlet and yellow. The leaves are equally recognisable due to their large variegated appearance and notable asymmetrical positions along the plant. The diversity of colours and species of Begonias is perhaps the main reason why so many hybrids and cultivars of the genus have emerged over the years.
Begonias vary both in height, size and shape of leaves and of course colour but make a great addition to a garden alongside Dahlias, Lobelias and Fuchsias. Typically they can be divided into 3 botanical groups; fibrous roots, tuberous roots and those with Rhizomes, however many people categorise Begonias into those that are grown for their flowers and those that are grown for their ornamental leaves.
In the UK fibrous-rooted or bedding Begonias are popular thanks to their ability to grow where most other annual garden plants will not; under shade. In their native homes, Begonias are understory plants, which means they grow under the shadow of larger plants and trees resulting in a genus that can thrive in bright shade. In tropical or subtropical climates Begonias can be grown all year round but in more temperate climates most are grown as outdoors as annuals or as indoor plants.
All Begonias however, require rich, moist garden soil and need plenty of water in the summer. As mentioned nearly all Begonia species are shade hardy and are best bought as bedding plants as growing from seed is not easy. Tuberous Begonias will typically have a dormant period when you may want to plant up your tubers and store until replanting whilst other more hardy species will flower all year round.
The Begonia Semperflorens group are perhaps the most common Begonia bedding plants to be grown outdoors in the UK and will provide you with diverse colour even when grown under shade. By ensuring you buy high quality bedding plants and Begonia bulbs from a reputable online garden centre you will increase the quality of your garden plants ensuring more superior Begonia specimens.
Some of the more popular Begonias include the Begonia 'Double White', Begonia 'Double Red' and the Begonia 'Pendula' in either pink, red or yellow, all of which make great garden plants if you are looking for a little bit of summer colour at the front of your borders. The 'Double White', like most Begonias does well out of full sun and has large double white flowers that usually appear between May and September. The Pendula Begonias including the 'Trailing Red' and 'Trailing Yellow' are ideal for hanging baskets or for use in pots and tubs where a cascade of colour is desired.
Begonia tubers should be started off in late February and planted out in late May or early June and as mentioned previously the tubers should be lifted in the autumn and stored in a frost free place during the winter months. For more details or to order your Begonia tubers online please Click Here
