Begonia grandis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- beh-GO-nee-ah GRAN-dis
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Hardy begonia is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to Southern China and Japan that is a member of the Begonia (Begoniaceae) family. From summer through early fall hardy begonia displays loose floppy clusters of pink fragrant blooms visited by pollinators. It is monoecious (male and female flowers on the same plant), tuberous-rooted, and typically forms a two-foot high bushy mound of foliage on branching stems.
Hardy begonia grows best in moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Do not allow the soil to dry out. The plant is hardy enough for USDA zones 6 and 7, tolerating temperatures down to 23 degrees F, and does well outdoors in shady borders, woodland gardens, or along walkways. Because it may not be reliably winter hardy, it is best to mulch it heavily during the winter.
As the days grow short, the plant goes dormant and the leaves turn yellow. However, at the same time bulbils form in the leaf axils. These tiny asexual formations about the size of a small pea fall to the ground and sprout the following spring. Thus, one or two plants in the garden become a small colony after a couple years. Bulbils may also be harvested from the leaf axils and planted as desired. If planted from seed, the plants will show some variation; if planted from bulbils, the plants will be the same as the parent plant.
Hardy begonia has a long bloom season from July to October. To extend the blooming period, deadhead expired flowers.
Consider using Hardy Begonia in pollinator, naturalized, or shade gardens, planted along walkways, borders, in mass plantings, and in containers. The blooms add color mixed with other shade-loving plants such as ferns and hostas.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Slightly susceptible to mildew after the plant goes dormant in the fall.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Shaded Slope Four-Season Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
a white-flowered form. - 'Pink Teardrops'
- ‘Wildwood Premier’
Attractive foliage. Red coloration in the leaves is more pronounced than on species plants.
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Pink Teardrops', ‘Wildwood Premier’
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
a white-flowered form. - 'Pink Teardrops'
- ‘Wildwood Premier’
Attractive foliage. Red coloration in the leaves is more pronounced than on species plants.
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Pink Teardrops', ‘Wildwood Premier’
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Begonia
- Species:
- grandis
- Family:
- Begoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern China, Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are visited by pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- heavy shade, black walnut
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Horizontal
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Winged capsule. Seeds ripen in fall after bloom period.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- One inch showy pink flowers in pendant clusters (dichotomous cymes) from July through October. Dead-heading flowers will extend bloom.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Asymmetrical, large (4 inch long) obliquely ovate with cordate bases, serrate margins, pointed tips. Olive green above and reddish green with red veins beneath.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- Arching stems.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Heavy Shade
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Kidney failure (in grazing animals), vomiting, salivation in dogs/cats. The most toxic part is the underground roots. The sap may cause skin irritation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Soluble calcium oxalates
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
