QA

Quick Answer: What Do Begonias Look Like

Do begonias like sun or shade?

They do best in situations with shade or morning sun/afternoon shade. Most varieties have flowers that hang down a little, making tuberous begonias ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes rather than garden beds and borders. No matter where you grow them, make sure they have good drainage to prevent rot.

Do begonias come back every year?

There are no perennial begonias. There are forms that make great houseplants and will grow year-round indoors, but outdoors the plants are all unable to tolerate frost.

What does begonia flowers look like?

They bloom with 1-1/2-inch single or double flowers in shades of red, pink, or white. Tuberous begonias come in two forms, either upright or trailing, and have green or burgundy leaves. Their single, double or ruffled flowers bloom in shades of pink, yellow, orange, red, or white.

Are begonias annual or perennial?

They are grown as bedding plants in spring, similar to marigolds, impatiens and petunias. Although they are perennial in a warmer climate, most gardeners treat them as annual flowers. Tuberous begonias are probably the second-most popular outdoor begonia for gardeners.

What month do begonias flower?

Begonias grow in moist, shady gardens where they have well-drained soil, wind protection and filtered or indirect sunlight. A typical blooming season starts in June and ends with the first frost. They are so easy to grow that a broken stem or leaf stalk stuck in soil often roots as a new plant.

Can I put begonias in full sun?

Most begonias grow best in part shade (4 to 6 hours of direct morning sun a day), or filtered sun (as through trees). Most will tolerate full shade (no direct or filtered sun), but won’t be as dense and usually have fewer flowers. A few grow in full sun. They prefer moist, but not soggy, soils.

What does a tuberous begonia look like?

A begonia tuber is shaped like a little brown bowl. Sprouts emerge from inside the cupped area and roots form on all sides of the tuber. For best results, encourage the tubers to sprout before planting them in pots or in the garden. Put them in a warm (70°F) area with indirect light.

Can I leave my begonias in pots over winter?

Tuberous begonias should be dug up and stored indoors during winter until the return of warmer weather in spring. Pot-grown begonia plants can be stored in their containers as long as they remain dry. They should also be relocated to a protected area that’s cool, dark, and dry.

Can you leave begonias in the ground over winter?

Leaving Begonias In The Ground As long as the type of begonia you have is hardy in your climate, then you can overwinter them right in the ground. If they have tubers, then they’ll survive as long it stays above 50° F. During the winter, the foliage on tuberous varieties may die back if the bulb goes dormant.

How do you identify begonias?

Begonias with tuberous roots are a large group of complex hybrids involving many species and years of breeding and development. They can often be identified by their prominent flowers, which can be single, double, ruffled, scented or multicolored, and range in size from 1/2-inch diameter to the size of a dinner plate.

Are begonias house plants?

Begonias are a popular houseplant. Some varieties of begonia houseplants are grown for their flowers while others are grown for their striking foliage. Growing begonias as houseplants only requires a little bit of knowledge in order to keep them looking their very best indoors.

How long do begonias last outside?

In zones 8a and cooler, begonias are annual plants. If you live in a cooler zone, plant them out once nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50ºF and enjoy your plants until the first fall frost hits. If you happen to live in a zone 8b to 11, your begonias should be able to last outside all year round.

Do you deadhead begonias?

Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 through 11, depending on the cultivar, begonias (Begonia spp.) do not require deadheading to thrive. Rather they self-clean by dropping spent flowers on their own, says the University of Illinois Extension.

Are begonias easy to grow?

Begonias are an easy houseplant for beginners, with a range of species and selections for the more advanced gardeners. Some are grown for flowers, others for their foliage. They come in a range of sizes, shapes, and habit, from upright to spreading. Many tolerate low light, and they have few if any pests.

Do begonias rebloom?

Grooming: Flowering begonias often bloom continuously for months, so be sure to remove spent flowers and dead leaves to keep plants looking their best. If you have a Rex Begonia, remove the small flower buds as they start to emerge so that the plant can concentrate its energy on the foliage.

Do begonias come back every year UK?

These fibrous-rooted, tender perennial begonias are usually grown as annuals. Their flowers can be white, pink or red and are produced throughout the summer until the first frosts.

Where should I plant begonias?

Where to Plant: Tuberous begonias require bright light, but not direct sunlight. They will grow in full to partial shade, but will not flower in areas with dense shade and low light. Begonias are ideal container plants for shady gardens, patios, porches and patios.