Rex Begonias

A guide to growing, care, and propagation of rex begonias, plus some great cultivars

The fabulous foliage of Rexbegonias(BegoniaRex - cultorum chemical group ) offer up a prominent chain of mountains of colors , shapes , and textures . The flowers are undistinguished , but with leaves like these , who give care ? Rex begonias headline the show for months on end in anyshade garden , specially when grown incontainers . These plants prefer shaded , humid precondition and fat , aeratedsoillike that chance on the forest story . Too much water and plant food is the candy kiss of death for Rex begonia . Soggy stain and prolonged wet leave-taking and stem can conduct torot , while extremely concentrated fertiliser will burn the foliage . If you keep these points in mind when caring for your plant , it will be smooth sailing .

pick up more : rule the Right Begonia for You

With all the raising that has gone on with Rex begonia , it ’s punishing not to find one that strike your partiality , peculiarly as more and more selections are being introduced with a wide range of colors and challenging veining and puckering in the leaves . The leaf sizes vary but grow up to 9 inch retentive and 5 in wide , while the mounding use of the plants generally reaches 12 to 18 inches marvellous and extensive — the gross proportions to produce gorgeous and spectacular planting combinations with perennials , annuals , or othertropical beauties . utilise Rex begonia as the heart of sketch , playing off their intricate colors and inside information . I think you ’ll find it wo n’t be long before the dear of begonias is in your blood , too .

Begonia ‘Fireworks’

The stiff dreary black , metallic silver , and lifelike purple colouration of ‘ Fireworks ’ makes it one of the most striking and popular of the raw cultivars available . Choosing companion plants that echo these fertile color results in an oculus - catching combining .

Good bedfellows1.Silver dichondra(Dichondra argentea‘Silver Falls ’ , USDA Hardiness Zones 10–11)2.Black mondo grass(Ophiopogon planiscapus‘Nigrescens ’ , Z 6–11)3.Summer Wave ® drear wishbone flower(Torenia‘SUNrenilabu ’ , Z 10–11 )

Begonia ‘River Nile’

The phrasal idiom “ less is more ” could n’t peal more true than when it comes to describing ‘ River Nile ’ . There are no flashy colors here . I think you ’ll feel , however , that the ruffled , luscious green leaves edged in deep bronze are all you want to make dramatic displays revolve about around this wide-eyed colour scheme .

Good bedfellows1.Dwarf elephant ’s ear(Colocasia affinisvar.jenningsii , Zones 9–11)2.Fiber - oculus grass(Isolepis cernua , Z 8–10)3.Friendship plant(Pilea involucrata , Z 11 )

Rex Begonia

BegoniaRex - cultorum group , ( bah - GO - nyah )

Origin : The initial species , B. rex , originated in the forests of northern India . Today , there are countless cultivars derived from this species enjoyed around the world .

Conditions : count perennials in tropical and semitropical climate , Rex begonia are frost tender and typically grow as annual or houseplant in North America . They thrive in constitutive , sharp - draining grime and in shade with lots of humidity .

Care : tearing “ on demand ” ( or when the soil is dry to the cutaneous senses ) is a great mode to keep Rex begonia happy . Avoid marshy conditions , but do not allow industrial plant to wilt . Give Rex begonias a diluted dose of constituent , soluble food every four to six weeks during the grow time of year . Begonias do not grow or use fertilizer expeditiously below 58 ° fluorine .

Overwintering : Rex begonia make excellent houseplants and can easily be overwintered indoors . To add plants with tolerable humidness , position container on a tray of gravel , where runoff water may call for , evaporate , and bring up the atmosphere - wet level . forefend target plant near drafts .

Propagation : Although it can take up to six calendar month to produce a new works , foliage press cutting is the most vulgar form of propagation because leaves are the most readily available part of the plant . Seed can take an as long time and leads to plant unevenness . you may harvest stems for cutting ; they typically root in about 20 days in favourable consideration .

Begonia ‘Cowardly Lion’

The full-bodied , affectionate tones of ‘ Cowardly Lion ’ are a intimation of refreshing air when compared to the distinctive sang-froid , blue note often present in many shade garden plants . Its sensational chocolate - emblazon leaf veins head covering the golden leaf , which become darker with years and make a picture - arrant foil for yellow - based leafage associate .

Good bedfellows1.Golden St. John ’s wort(Hypericum calycinum‘Briggadoon ’ , Zones 5–9)2.‘Persian Chocolate ’ moneywort(Lysimachia congestiflora‘Persian Chocolate ’ , Z 6–9)3.Rita ’s Gold ™ Boston fern(Nephrolepis exaltataRita ’s amber ™ , Z 9–11 )

Begonia ‘Green Gold’

‘ Green Gold ’ is a vigorous oldie but goodie with striking , predominantly silver leaves and deep greenish veining . young leaves project a warm golden glow and are outlined with a touchy burgundy edging . The silver color brightens up suspect nooks and plays nicely with others .

well bedfellows1.‘Lime Rickey ’ heuchera(Heuchera‘Lime Rickey ’ , Zones 4–8)2.Diamond Frost ® euphorbia(Euphorbia‘Inneuphdia ’ , Z 10–11)3.Golden creeping Jenny(Lysimachia nummularia‘Aurea ’ , Z 4–8 )

Begonia ‘Stained Glass’

It ’s love at first sight when nurseryman come across ‘ Stained Glass ’ . Its eye - pop , ruby crimson leave are generally rimmed in pewter with a dollop of colored veining at the center . While there are many ways to dally off the coloration of this cultivar , the rosy bottom of its leaves practically screams out , “ Put me with something pinkish ! ”

proficient bedfellows1 . Infinity ® Pink New Guinea impatiens ( Impatiens hawkeri‘Visinfpink ’ , annual)2.‘Dark Star ’ coleus(Solenostemon scutellarioides‘Dark Star ’ , Zone 11)3.Tradescantia(Tradescantia zebrina , Z 11 )

Begonia ‘Marmaduke’

‘ Marmaduke ’ has the same colour as ‘ Cowardly Lion ’ only with a crook . The chocolate - color tones are stipple across the golden leaves , rather than be the veins . The burden is mesmerizing , and the rich earth tones combine well with solid - one-sided foliage plants and yellow or hoary - hued bloom of youth .

safe bedfellows1.Bowles ’ golden sedge(Carex elata‘Aurea ’ , Zones 5–9)2.‘Jungle Gold ’ impatiens(Impatiens auricoma‘Jungle Gold ’ , annual)3.‘Sedona ’ coleus(Solenostemon scutellarioides‘Sedona ’ , Z 11 )

The wide world of begonias

The genus Begonia includes more than 1,300 species and unnumbered hybrids , sport , and opportune seedlings , which are broken into several classes according to their general appearance and like civilisation . Originally , there were only four recognized class ; there are now eight clearly distinct groups . For more information on begonia , visit the Web site of the American Begonia Society , www.begonias.org .

Semperflorens : This mathematical group is probably the most ordinarily known in the world . Often called “ wax ” or “ bedding ” begonia , these plant are invariant bloomers with round , glistening leave that are usually green or brown . There are a few variegated variety .

Canes : These begonia have ruffianly , elongated stems with a bamboolike appearance . Your grandparent telephone them “ angel wing ” because of their placeable offstage - shaped leaves .

Shrubs : Whether they are miniature or giant , these shaggy-haired , multistemmed type are easy to produce . Many plant in this course of instruction have hairy stems or matte up leaves .

Rhizomatous : Grown for their showy leaves , these begonia are heavy leap bloomers . They do not get very tall because they develop from creeping rootstalk . The extensive miscellany of foliage shapes ready them popular with collectors .

Tuberous : These begonias are unremarkably grown for their showy flowers , which come in every color except blueish . They vary in size and go dormant in the crepuscle and winter months and restart each spring .

Variety of begonias in a planter

SemperflorensPhoto/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

male monarch : Famous for their great leaf , color , and texture , Rex begonia are actually a type of rhizomatous begonia . With C of cultivar bred for foliage , bloom are junior-grade compared to the bold leaves .

Trailing / Scandent : Usually grown in hang baskets , this class has telling glossy leaves and weeping flowers .

Thick - stem : Not wide grown , these begonias have big fleshy stems and an upright wont .

Begonia ‘Fireworks’

SemperflorensPhoto/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

Begonia ‘Escargot’

‘ snail ’ is an extremely popular Rex loanblend that is apace becoming a household name . Its soubriquet muse the escargot - regulate curl turn up where the stem of the leafage foregather the petiole ( leaf prow ) . The challenging leafage can stand on its own but also mingles beautifully with other leaf works and brightly colour blooming .

Good bedfellows1.‘Green Spice ’ heuchera(Heuchera‘Green Spice ’ , Zones 4–9)2.‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt ’ fuchsia(Fuchsia‘Gartenmeister Bonstedt ’ , Z 9–10)3.Purple Swedish ivy(Plectranthus purpuratus , Z 9–11 )

Fine Gardening Recommended ware

Rex Begonia

deeply 72 Cell Seedling Trays ( 10 - plurality )

Fine horticulture receives a commission for items purchased through liaison on this site , include Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs .

spear-point Shade Gardening Shovel with brand - Reinforced Fiberglass Handle

Begonia ‘Cowardly Lion’

Corona E - Grip Trowel

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