Bedding Begonia Begonia (Semperflorens-Cultorum Group)
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Begonia semperflorens-cultorum
- Begonia x tuberhybrida
- Phonetic Spelling
- beh-GO-nee-ah sem-pur-FLOR-enz kul-TOR-um
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Begoniaceae is a large flowering plant family with about 1500 different species and hundreds of hybrids. Mature begonia plants range in size from a few inches high to over 12 feet high and the flowers, foliage colors and sizes are very diverse. The American Begonia Society has created a number of non-scientific categories for classifying Begonias including semperflorens. Begonia x Semperflorens-Cultorum hybrids are derived from a closely related group of South American species that have shown some cold hardiness in USDA zones 8-10.
Begonia semperflorens, or Wax Begonia, is a very popular member of the Begonia family often used as an annual bedding plant or as a tender, herbaceous perennial grown in containers and brought indoors for the winter. It is a compact, mounded, succulent, and fibrous-rooted plant with fleshy stems and green to bronze leaves. When planted outdoors, it does best in full sun to partial shade in moderately humus rich, well-drained moist soils. Bronze-leafed varieties tend to do better in full sun. Space 6-12 in. apart and plant in mass along borders or in small spaces. Mulch well in the summer to protect roots, and water well. Container plants may be cut back in fall and overwintered indoors in a cool location with reduced watering.
This plant is seldom damaged by deer and tolerates hot summers, mild drought and heavy shade. To propagate, sow seeds in January in gentle heat and do not cover with compost, or take leaf or stem cuttings.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
Susceptible to mealy bugs and thrips, rot, and fungal diseases.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Barbara Rogers'
Clumping nearly five feet tall, large white flowers all season, USDA zones 7-9. - 'Emperor Red'
- 'Monza'
- 'Party Pink'
Pink flowers bronze leaves - 'Prelude White'
White flowers - 'Senator Red'
Red flowers - 'Whopper Rose Bronze Leaf'
- 'Barbara Rogers'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Barbara Rogers'
Clumping nearly five feet tall, large white flowers all season, USDA zones 7-9. - 'Emperor Red'
- 'Monza'
- 'Party Pink'
Pink flowers bronze leaves - 'Prelude White'
White flowers - 'Senator Red'
Red flowers - 'Whopper Rose Bronze Leaf'
- 'Barbara Rogers'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Begonia
- Family:
- Begoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Leaf Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern United States
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Mounding
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Winged capsule.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Loose clusters of cymes in leaf axils single or double in various colors bloom from spring to frost. Four-parted, with two small and twp large petal-like parts and many stamens. Female flowers have 4 to 5 subequal petals bearing an inferior swollen ovary with wings. Male flowers have 4 unequal petals, two lateral petals very narrow, othe pair broad obovate; stamens numerous, clustered, exerted with prominent yellow stamens.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Glossy
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Asymmetrical/oblique, waxy green to bronze leaves, broad with toothed margins. Leaf length to width ratio is near 1. Bronze-leaved varieties are more tolerant of full sun.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Branched, clumping, fleshy, glabrous. Branches erect, contorted near base, yellow, and resemble an erect horseshoe
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
