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.

Description

Begonia semperflorens is very popular as an annual bedding plant and for containers. This is a compact, mounded, a fibrous-rooted plant with fleshy stems and green to bronze leaves. Plant in the full sun to partial shade in moderately humus rich, well-drained moist soils. Mulch well in the summer to protect roots, and water well.

Its seasons are late spring to early fall. Space 6-12 in. apart and plant in mass along borders, in containers, or in small spaces. This plant is seldom damaged by deer; mildly drought tolerant and heavy shade tolerant. To propagate sow seed 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 & thrips, rot, and fungal diseases,

Quick ID Hints:

Succulent with asymmetrical/oblique, waxy leaves
Leaves broad ovate to obicular, L/W ratio near 1
Male flowers clustered, 4-petals with 2 narrow lateral petals
Female flowers with prominent winged ovary
Styles 3, branched into erect yellow horseshoes

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Party Pink'
Pink flowers bronze leaves
'Prelude White'
White flowers
'Senator Red'
Red flowers

Tags:

#butterflies #showy flowers #full sun #small spaces #houseplant #annual #summer #drought tolerant #late spring #early fall #heavy shade #spring #bronze #white flowers #pink flowers #red flowers #compact #shade garden #interiorscape #low maintenance #fall interest #rabbit resistant #mass planting #window boxes #cpp #mounding #edging #dry soil tolerant #deer resistant #borders #ccp #pollinator plant #fantz #late spring flowers #mid-summer flowers #early summer flowers #late summer flowers #shade border #early fall flowers #waxy leaves

leaves and flowers Biswarup Ganguly CC BY 3.0

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Party Pink'
Pink flowers bronze leaves
'Prelude White'
White flowers
'Senator Red'
Red flowers

Tags:

Attributes:
Genus:

Begonia

Family:

Begoniaceae

Life Cycle:

Annual

Recommended Propagation Strategy:

Leaf Cutting

Seed

Stem Cutting

Dimensions:

Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.

Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Annual

Houseplant

Habit/Form:

Dense

Mounding

Maintenance:

Low

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:

10a, 10b, 11a, 11b

Fruit:
Fruit Type:

Capsule

Fruit Description:

Winged capsule.

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. 4-parted, with 2 small and 2 large, petal-like parts many stamens. FEMALE FLOWERS with 4-5 subequal petals, bearing an inferior swollen ovary with wings; style 3-branched above, branches erect, contorted near base, yellow, and resemble an erect horseshoe. MALE FLOWERS with 4 unequal petals, two lateral petals very narrow, othe pair broad obovate; stamens numerous, clustered, exerted with prominent yellow stamens.

Leaves:
Leaf Color:

Brown/Copper

Green

Leaf Feel:

Fleshy

Glossy

Waxy

Leaf Type:

Simple

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Shape:

Orbicular

Ovate

Leaf Margin:

Crenate

Serrate

Hairs Present:

No

Leaf Description:

Green to bronze waxy leaves, simple, broad with toothed margins. Bronze-leaved varieties are more tolerant of full sun.

Stem:
Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Stem Description:

Branched, clumping, fleshy, glabrous.

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

Poisonous to Humans:
Poison Severity:

Low

Poison Symptoms:

Burning of mouth, throat, lips, and tongue, swelling, difficulty with speech and swallowing; possibly nausea and vomiting.

Poison Toxic Principle:

Oxalates

Causes Contact Dermatitis:

No

Poison Part:

Roots