Plant Highlight: Begonias

Plant Highlight: Begonias

If you've ever wondered what single genus of plant we grow the most of here at the greenhouse is, it's unequivocally begonias. In fact, for the 2022 season, we have eleven different types of begonias! But what are their uses? Where will they grow? If you're new to gardening or just need a bit of a begonia-refresher, I'm here to clarify things. And remember: These are just the Begonias we grow and doesn't include the houseplants that will be arriving weekly once we open! 

Rieger begonias at Southview Greenhouse Growers


Non-Stop vs. Solenia Begonias

These two confuse people often. At first (or second, or third) glance they look very much the same. But, plant a Non-Stop where a Solenia should be, and it's sure to end in disappointment.  Non-Stop begonias are best for bringing bountiful colour to your shade beds, and Solenia are top performers for sun. To remember the difference, think of the French word for sun – soleil – solenia! To tell them apart, look at the foliage – Solenia's leaves are rounder, and a deeper, glossier green than Non-Stop. Both varieties grow happily in both garden beds and containers, and benefit from dead-heading.

Non-Stop

Best suited for: Full shade to part shade

Form: Mounding

Height: 8-12”

Colours: Yellow, orange, red, white, pink

 

Solenia

Best suited for: Full sun
Form: Mounding
Height: 8-12”
Colours: Pinks, reds, orange, peach, yellow

 

Big

We love Big begonias! They’re drought tolerant, self-cleaning, full of flowers, and grow in full sun to shade. We grow both Rose and Red with bronze foliage, and White with green foliage. They’re a great option for hanging baskets and planters, as they have a slightly trailing habit, and, as the name suggests, can really fill in an area!

Best suited for: Sun to Shade
Form: Mounded and slightly trailing
Height: 12-18”
Colours: Red, rose, and white 


Beauvilia

New at Southview for 2022! Beauvilia begonias are a trailing variety, making them the perfect choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers in shadier areas. We’ll have four colours available this season in hanging baskets and pots: red, hot pink, salmon, and white. We’re excited about this one and can’t wait to try it out for ourselves! 

Best suited for: Part shade to shade
Form: Trailing
Height: 12-16”
Colours: Red, hot pink, salmon, and white 

 

The Californians 

A new favourite here at Southview. The 'California Series', as we refer to them, are a trailing group of begonias - another lovely choice for baskets, rail planters, and containers in sun to part shade. 'Santa Barbara' is a white-blooming variety, 'San Francisco' is pink, and 'Santa Cruz' is a fiery orange. Below, left: all three in a hanging basket; Right: Santa Cruz towers over some impatiens.

Buy begonias at Southview Greenhouse Growers

Best suited for: Sun to part shade
Form: Trailing
Height: 12-16”
Colours: White, pink, orange

 

Rieger

These beauties have smaller flowers than Non-Stop and Solenia, but are prolific bloomers and come in a lovely variety of colours. Also called Elatior begonias. They’re great planted in the garden or in containers, and look especially sweet potted up on a patio table! 

Best suited for: Part sun to sun
Form: Mounding
Height: 8-12”
Colours: Pinks, reds, orange, peach, yellow, white

  

Double Up 

Another new one! We first tried these double-bloomed wax begonias in 2021, and they’re back again this year. They happily grow in sun and shade, with dark, bronzey foliage and small (but plentiful!) double blooms. They work beautifully in containers, as well as the landscape. Below: a season's growth in a 6" clay pot.

Best suited for: Sun to shade
Form: Upright, mounded
Height: 8-18”
Colours: Red, pink, white 

 

Pegasus

Now for something completely different. Pegasus Begonias are grown for their lush, silvery-green foliage, and they’re adaptable as a houseplant. In the right conditions, they can surprise you with delicate, drooping pale-pink blooms. Plant them in pots around the patio to create instant tropical vibes! Below: Pegasus begonia contrasts against the chartreuse foliage of Pineapple Brandy coleus. 

Best suited for: Part shade to shade, but will handle full sun with sufficient moisture
Form: Upright
Height: 12-18”
Colours: Grown for its foliage

 

Dragon Wing

This prolific bloomer is by far the best begonia choice for hanging baskets and containers. Dragon Wings are all-stars - they're adaptable to all light conditions and drought tolerant, making them perfect for the gardener that tends to forget about watering! Their green foliage stays glossy all season, and their blooms are either red or pink.

Best suited for: Sun to shade
Form: Mounded and slightly trailing
Height: 14-18”
Colours: Red and pink

 

Surefire

Very similar to Dragon Wing, but more upright in form. The rose-pink variety has bronze foliage, while the red has classic green leaves. Super adaptable and vigorous! 

Best suited for: Sun to shade
Form: Upright
Height: 12-24”
Colours: Red and pink

 

Wax Begonias: Bada-Bing & Bada-Boom

These are your go-to for shade bedding plants. We carry Bada-Bing (green foliage) and Bada Boom (bronze foliage), which both have blooms in pink, red, and white. They’re perfect for planting en masse in a shade to partial-sun area because they’re low-maintenance and bloom all summer. 

Best suited for: Shade
Form: Mounded
Height: 8-12”
Colours: Red, pink, and white with green or bronze foliage

 

A quick note about care

Begonias are famously drought tolerant, but benefit from regular watering to keep them looking their best. The quickest way to kill a begonia is to over-water it, though, so always check the moisture level of the soil before watering.