With their several types of colors and varieties, Tuberous Begonias are a wonderful addition to any shade loving garden. Even before blooming the foliage is quite lovely. The leaves are either a shiny emerald green or a soft velvet heart shape. Colors of the blooms range from pink to orange.
Varieties
Tuberous Begonias come in 3 basic varieties: Camellia shaped, Hybrid Miniatures also called ‘Non-Stop’, and Cascading. Camellia Begonias have double petals. The flowers can get up to 7 inches across and resemble their namesake-the Camellia. The Picotee variety of Camellia Begonia has bold outlines of color along the petal’s edge that contrasts nicely with the rest of the bloom. For example, the Ruffled ‘Sunburst’ Picotee has yellowish-orange petals with each petal outlined in a brilliant red.
Hybrid Miniature or ‘Non-Stop’ Tuberous Begonias are very shrub-like. Their blooms resemble roses and will grow about 2 inches across. These flowers range in color from yellow to pink.
Cascading Begonias as their name implies, look amazing when planted in a hanging basket. Their long trailing stems are a perfect background to the large blooms in colors of yellow, white, pink, or red. There is even a pastel variety whose petals are outlined in deep jewel-like tones.
Planting Locations
Cascading Begonias will look lovely in hanging baskets or even window boxes trailing over the edge of the container. Camellia Begonias look best when planted in groups of 3 or more in front of dark colored backgrounds like dark green shrubbery. Try placing Hybrid Miniature Begonias in pots to be placed on your patio for a splash of color. Or plant them around a pool area or walkway. These Begonias make an excellent border. Just don’t forget to plant them in the shade!
Planting Buddies
Camellia Begonias look nice when planted with Impatiens. ‘Royal Picotee’ Begonias in white and red compliment the pink and white of Impatiens. Cinnamon or Ostrich Ferns are and excellent backdrop for the bright orange ‘City of Ballarat’ Begonia. This color combination really brightens up a shady spot. Fuchsia colored Coleus goes very well with the coral and pink ‘Roy Hartley’ begonia. This combination creates a very exotic and tropical look.
Purchasing and Planting
Before you purchase your tubers make sure they are firm and healthy looking. Do not purchase tubers that look old or wrinkled. Also avoid tubers in pots that are already blooming if you are purchasing them in the spring. These plants will stop flowering by summer.
click on picture to enlarge
Begin planting in late winter. Fill pots with a good growing soil to about 2 inches from the top of the pot. Set the tuber in the pot, concave side up, and cover with about ¾ inch of soil. Water well and place the pot in an area exposed to bright, but not direct, sunlight. Try to keep the temperature around 70 degrees.
Once last frost has passed transplant your Tuberous Begonias into your flowerbeds. Keep at least 9 inches between plants. If planting Cascading Begonias group them in threes or fours per 12-inch basket.
After the first frost dig up the tubers with soil intact and let them dry for a 7-10 days. Remove the foliage and clean the tubers of remaining soil. Store them in a cool dry place in a pot of sand or peat.
Growing Tips
Tuberous Begonias must be fertilized monthly. Try using a 20-20-20 fertilizer. For taller Begonias tie them to stakes as they grow. Be sure to deadhead all old and faded flowers for continued blooming.
Do not plant you Begonias in direct sunlight. However, some sun in the morning or late afternoon will help these plants flower. The soil must be rich and moist.
Remove any tiny female blossoms so the flower will produce larger more spectacular male flowers.
What Ails You
Tuberous Begonias are very sensitive to rot. When watering do not water on top of the plant. The tuber needs to be kept dry. Instead water around the plant.
The only disease that might plague your Tuberous Begonias is powdery mildew. This is a white fungus that will remove the moisture from the leaves and newly forming blooms. To prevent this problem water well and be sure the air circulates freely around your plants.
Quick Facts
Tuberous Begonias will grow best in zones 2-10. The prefer partial to full shade and well-drained rich soil. These plants can spread out up to 15 inches wide and grow as tall as 3 feet for the larger varieties. Tuberous Begonias are easy to cultivate and resistant to just about all diseases. They begin to flower in early summer and will last until your first fall frost.
click on picture to enlarge
