Bloom or bust for begonias?
I was surprised to read in the February issue that begonias are out of favour with Britain in Bloom judges, who favour “more sustainable perennial plants”.
As we try to increase the number of new gardeners, nothing comes easier than begonias – no pests, no deadheading and up to nine months of flowers. Whilst they may not be the most pollinator-friendly, my garden is full of insect-friendly perennials – and so would be the gardens of novices initially lured into gardening by the simplicity that begonias offer them.
David Flint, by email