Lynne Dibley on the best begonias for you to grow
These worldwide gems grow well in the UK
Begonias are a fascinating genus of plants that have naturally evolved to span the world, from the tuberous begonias native in the Andes to the cane-like varieties from Brazil and to Begonia rex from India and B. sutherlandii from South Africa. There’s something in the region of 1,500 species of begonias and because they hybridise relatively easily, there are also thousands of man-made hybrids.
European plant collectors first described begonias in the 16th century, with the first living begonia specimens arriving at Kew Botanical Gardens in 1777. The leaves of begonias are typically asymmetrical and the plant monoecious (both male and female flowers on the same plant). In many countries the begonia flowers are eaten; they have a sour flavour like gooseberries. In Malaysia the leaves of begonia are mixed with chilli to create a hot paste for cooking with fish. The Andean species, B. pearcei, B.
veitcheii and B. boliviensis, with their vivid yellow, orange and red flowers, were all used in the initial breeding of the modern-day
tuberhybrida begonias. This group of begonias are grown for their bright, blousy blooms and are mostly planted outdoors into hanging baskets, but many make attractive flowering pot plants when grown indoors in a sunny position. They bloom through the summer but can be left to die back to their corm and kept indoors in the winter, then repotted the following spring. Feed with a high potassium fertiliser during the summer for long-lasting and plentiful flowers. Cane-like begonias
have been bred from tall-growing species. They’ve a fibrous root system are multi-stemmed and evergreen. Many varieties can grow to 1m (39in) in height within a couple of seasons. A lot of plants in this group have burgundy or green leaves with silver/white spots. The flowers appear during the summer and form in large clusters towards the top of the stems. The variety ‘Down Home’ is a short-growing, burgundy-leaved variety, while ‘Lucerna’ is typical of a tall-growing variety, with green spotted foliage and red flowers. This group of begonias will, once established, produce new stems from below the compost and will become thick, bushy plants if cut back in the autumn by about a half.
The plant that has it all!
The foliage of Begonia rex hybrids has everything: texture, pattern and a vast array of colours, either single or in combinations. The variety which typifies this group is the aptly named ‘Fireworks’. It’s an excellent example to explain the common name - painted-leaf begonia. It doesn’t look natural but instead looks like an artist has been out with paints. The main area of difficulty when growing B. rex hybrids is getting the watering and humidity correct. They like a slightly free-draining compost which is never allowed to become saturated. Water sparingly and only as the surface of the compost becomes dry. A high humid atmosphere is also essential but can be achieved by growing plants in the bathroom and/or surrounded by many other plants. Another way to create a higher humidity is to grow plants above a tray of damp gravel. This will create a micro-climate around the leaves which is more suitable to their needs.