Tuberous Begonia Begonia – Tuberous Types
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- beh-GO-nee-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This informal group of begonia species and hybrids includes the tuberous perennials that are native to the tropics of South America. They are best known for their showy and spectacular flowers and are a member of the Begonia family (Begoniaceae). Most of the varieties available at a nursery or garden center are hybrids. They may be grown as annuals, herbaceous perennials or houseplants. This plant has a bushy, weeping or cascading habit and can grow 1 to 2 feet tall and equally as wide. The glossy foliage is available in various shades of green with touches of red or bronze. The flowers appear in various forms, shapes and colors. They measure 3 inches across, may be single or double blooms, ruffled or serrated and come in many colors including white, pink, red, orange and yellow. Other forms available include bicolor, camellia and rose. Some cultivars have flowers that are classified as picotee, which means the petal edge is a different color than the main portion of the petal. They usually flower for 4 months, from early summer until the first frost.
Begonias of this type prefer partial shade to dappled shade and organically rich, moist, well-drained soil. They can tolerate early morning sun and late afternoon sun. They are not drought tolerant. This plant is hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11. Avoid overcrowding since they require good air circulation to prevent foliar diseases. This plant does not like humidity or heat; therefore, they can sometimes suffer in southern summers. Protect them from too much sun and wind. Regular fertilization during the growing period produces the most profuse blooms. Remove spent flowers and leaves. If staking is needed, avoid injuring the tuber. Taper off watering in fall when the leaves begin to turn yellow. Begonias propagate very easily from seed and root cuttings
For outdoor plantings, the tubers may be taken up and stored in a dry place over the winter. Before the first fall frost, store the plant containers in a frost-free location or dig up tubers and store. Store them until time to replant in late winter in preparation for the next growing season. Start plants indoors in late winter about 2.5 to 3 months before all threats of frost are over. They may be re-planted outdoors or the containers may be brought outside after the last frost. Plant the tubers shallowly in groups of 3 to 4 per container or space 12-18 inches apart in the ground. Plant the tubers shallowly with the concave side up.
While tricky to grow, they make excellent interior or exterior container plants, mass planted in border fronts or in window boxes.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, slugs, and snails are occasional problems. Powdery mildew and stem rot can occasionally occur. Too much water can cause tuber rot and not enough air circulation can cause disease.
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 landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Begonia boliviensus
tuberous begonia, up to 2 feet tall, angel wing shaped green leaves, orange-red flowers - Belgian begonias
tuberous , double flowering - Nonstop® Fire Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida)
8 to 12 inches tall, green foliage, orange flowers - Nonstop® Yellow Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida)
8 to 12 inches tall, green foliage, double, bright yellow flowers - 'PAS1384156' On Top® Sun Glow
tuberous, dark green foliage, double bicolor yellow/red flowers; 1st Place Container Plant 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'PAS1384162' Tuberous Begonia Sun Dancer™ Pink
branching and cascading habit, double pink blooms
- Begonia boliviensus
- Begonia boliviensus, Belgian begonias, Nonstop® Fire Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida), Nonstop® Yellow Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida), 'PAS1384156' On Top® Sun Glow, 'PAS1384162' Tuberous Begonia Sun Dancer™ Pink
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Begonia boliviensus
tuberous begonia, up to 2 feet tall, angel wing shaped green leaves, orange-red flowers - Belgian begonias
tuberous , double flowering - Nonstop® Fire Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida)
8 to 12 inches tall, green foliage, orange flowers - Nonstop® Yellow Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida)
8 to 12 inches tall, green foliage, double, bright yellow flowers - 'PAS1384156' On Top® Sun Glow
tuberous, dark green foliage, double bicolor yellow/red flowers; 1st Place Container Plant 2019 NC State Annual Color Trials - 'PAS1384162' Tuberous Begonia Sun Dancer™ Pink
branching and cascading habit, double pink blooms
- Begonia boliviensus
- Begonia boliviensus, Belgian begonias, Nonstop® Fire Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida), Nonstop® Yellow Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida), 'PAS1384156' On Top® Sun Glow, 'PAS1384162' Tuberous Begonia Sun Dancer™ Pink
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Begonia
- Family:
- Begoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Central and Southern Bolivia to Northwest Argentina
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Bulb Storage:
- Before hard frost, dig up tubers and remove excess soil. Dry and cover them with dry medium like peat, wood shavings, or pearlite. Store in cool dry location and replant tubers in late winter.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Dense
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Dry winged capsule which splits lengthwise to reveal numerous tiny seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Mid summer to early fall flowers are waxy feeling white, scarlet, pink, salmon, orange, rose, or apricot. The flowers measure 3 inches across and may be single or double flowered. The blooms may be ruffled or serrated. They also come in forms of rose, camellia, and bicolor. The blooms are also classified as Picotee (the edges of the flower are a different color than the main part of the flower.) This plant has male and female flowers. The male flower has very showy blooms.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- It has pointed oval to ear-shaped asymmetrical, green leaves which may be streaked or spotted with shades of bronze or red, and measure up to 8 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- If ingested, Kidney failure (in grazing animals), vomiting, and salivation in dogs/cats. The most toxic part is the underground roots. Sap can cause skin irritation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Soluble calcium oxalates
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Roots
- Sap/Juice