Begonias
Tips in a nut shell.....
* Great in Hanging Baskets, Hanging Planters & Window Boxes
* Great plants for Summer into fall
* Some prefer all Shade others Sun so choose your plants carefully
* Keep soil moist not wet, fertilize every other week
Begonias are a really great choice for your Hanging Baskets or Hanging Planters
Originating in the shaded protection of the tropics, begonias will not tolerate frost.
They also require regular feeding, so most people grow them in patio planters, hanging baskets, hanging planters or window boxes.
The succulent nature of begonias means that they are able to store moisture and need less frequent watering.
Larger plants grown in the garden will need staking and shelter from drying winds.
The Best Begonia’s for Hanging Baskets and Planters
Tuberous Begonias are ideal in shady spots are the splendid showstoppers with their huge double blooms in an array of dazzling colors including shades of red, orange, pink and pure white. These superb plants include varieties which grow erect and also cascading types which are ideal for hanging baskets.
Tuberous begonias, like apricot shades, will easily cover the basket if simply planted at the top and will look great. For an even prettier and even more colorful display you can side plant the sides of your Hanging basket or planter too. Odd numbers work best so plant 3 or 5 depending on the size of your basket / planter.
Trailing or scandent begonias also love the shade are ideally suited to growing in baskets, hanging outside with protection from direct sunlight.
Cane Begonias love morning to mid afternoon sun and also known as 'angel wing' begonias because of their distinctive larger leaf shape, grow best where they can receive morning to mid afternoon sun.
Bedding or 'Semperflorens' begonias will thrive in full sun are the popular, hardy little fibrous-rooted plants, sold as seedlings in punnets, which grow cheerfully in full sun and looking their best planted in a mass. Patterns can be created by designing beds combining different flower and leaf colors.
Bedding begonias like regular fertilization (about every 2-3 weeks) during their growing season. Because they are compact little plants, plant your bedding begonias about 6 to 8 inches apart.
Leaves can be bronze or green, while flowers range from white to red.
Semperflorens bedding begonias can be planted at the top and sides of a basket to create a fantastic ball of color
Copper-leaved varieties can be planted in full sun with no ill effects. The Green-leaved varieties prefer partial sun.
Helpful tips in growing your begonias in hanging baskets or planters.
Most problems with begonias involve watering, either too much or too little. So only water when soil feels dry.
Common problems are powdery mildew which is a dusty, grayish coating on the leaves or botrytis a grayish-white mould on dead leaves which spreads to living parts of the plant.
Water occasionally (in the morning hours) when the soil at the 6-inch depth is dry. Begonias have few disease or insect issues.
Begonias are difficult to start from seed, so look for your bedding begonia plants at area garden centers and nurseries.
Begonias are a versatile and easy to care for flowering plant. Their constantly blooming foliage ranges in colors of red, pink, white, bronze and variegated.
Three of our Favorite Begonias
Tuberous Begonias like 'Pink Profusion, Red Cascade or White Chantilly. We just love them all. Pink Profusion is brilliant pink. These blooms have been described as “so spunky that they'll make your whole landscape get up and dance”.
Add 3-5 hanging baskets or planters of begonias to a shady porch or on the limbs of a leafy tree for sensational color all summer long
Red Dragon wing
Maintenance free and fast growing. The Dragon Wing begonia is a good choice for hanging baskets and planters. Producing large blooms in vibrant pinks and reds, The Dragon Begonia does well in the summer heat.
Fragrant Brazilian Heart or Scandent Begonia is classified as trailing and has heart-shaped green leaves are about two inches in length on trailing stems.
Heavy clusters of white flowers dangle covering the plant. The centers of the flowers are red, hence the common name of "Brazilian heart."
Fragrant flowers are plentiful all spring and into the summer.
Garden Squirrel.com
