![]() ![]() ![]() When frost threatens in the fall, bring them indoors and continue to enjoy their tropical appearance while the snow flies. Perhaps the easiest way to enjoy these flowers year round is to grow them in containers. If they do decline, replacement seedlings are cheap and easy to buy during the growing season. They grow in sun or shade, but diseases may be more of a problem in shade. They require a moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Some of the many strains of begonia have colored foliage but flower colors are generally white, pink and red. While the plants are listed as tender annuals, they seem to keep growing indefinitely. The most common of all begonias sold as bedding plants in all areas. ![]() That’s a small price to pay for flowers in January! The only real problem is that the spent flowers drop their petals on the floor where they must be swept or vacuumed away. As a bonus, the stem ends root readily in a cup of water. If they get too leggy, just pinch them back. Regular feeding keeps the flowers coming. Be sure to leave some space between the leaves and the glass to avoid burning the foliage. While they bloom in the shade outside, indoors a sunny window is best. While the water-retentive plants can go a while between waterings, they prefer to stay damp, especially when growing in full sun. Size the container to the plant, and use a soil-free potting mix. Well, these carefree outdoor plants are just as easy to grow indoors. Happily, pests are usually not a problem-even the deer tend to leave them alone! ![]() Space them a foot apart in soil high in organic matter and keep the roots evenly moist. It’s true that they do well in our gardens, given light shade or (preferably filtered) sun. Wax begonias are usually considered summer annuals. They tend to flop, creating a solid mass of color, and even trailing over walls and container edges. Plants grow to a height of about six to twelve inches. Flowers have fleshy petals surrounding a bright yellow cluster of stamens. I’m horticulturist Gary Bachman and I’ll see you next time on Southern Gardening.What plant thrives indoors, shrugs off low humidity, and blooms all winter in bold shades of white to pink to red? Surprise! It’s wax begonias!Īlso called fibrous begonias, these familiar bedding plants have large, round succulent leaves in either lime green or a beautiful burgundy- or bronze-red. Be sure to grow your begonias in well drained potting mix as these plants don’t like wet feet. The most robust color is produced when grown in the morning sun with afternoon shade. In the full shade the flower color is a lighter shade of red. The green leaves are pointed, and the undersides are deep red. This selection is everblooming and produces bright red flower clusters at almost every node along the canes. A great choice for a beautiful container plant has to be the easy to grow Torch Red Angel Wing begonia. Once the plants have established root systems. Dig a hole slightly wider and deeper than the root ball. Follow these steps and space plants 6 to 18 inches apart, depending on the variety. These are great compact flowering plants for dappled hade or part sun locations. Begonia light requirements can vary, from full sun to shade. However, for wax begonias, sun or shade locations can work. This is a vigorous growing plant in full shade but prefers partial shade that will add to its summer performance. Wax begonia care is particularly easy since the plants tolerate heat, drought, and heavy shade. The flowers are produced practically non-stop in scarlet red clusters that will dangle from the bushy mounds. This continues to be a winner with its attractive green and lush wing shaped foliage. Tolerance to hot and humid Mississippi garden conditions is a reason Dragon Wing begonia was chosen as a Mississippi Medallion winner in 2002. Plus, this plant can grow and thrive in the full Mississippi sun. This plant has dazzling three inch diameter flowers from spring to fall. Therefore, location is key for successfully growing begonias. Some of them are not suitable for growing outdoors at all. Wax begonias on the other hand prefer conditions on the sunnier side. Do they like sun or shade As plants of tropical forests, begonias are sensitive to sun. The first begonia is the 2019 Mississippi Medallion winner Whopper Red with Bronze Leaf Improved that produces big red blooms along with shimmery, bronze leaves. Next, let’s talk about how to plant begonias. Let’s take a look at great choices for the sun and shade. One of my favorite groups of flowering annuals for the summer season are begonias. ![]()
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