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Gardens Ablaze |
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Begonia Let my words, like vegetables, be tender and sweet, for tomorrow I may have to eat them......Author Unknown |
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Like Impatiens, Begonias are actually tender perennials that are usually treated as annuals. They perform admirably in many garden situations, including full sun in all but the hottest areas, and light to medium shade. In deep shade situations, they will stretch and become leggy, so do give them a spot with at least a few hours of sunlight for the best results. Begonias are excellent border choices, make stunning mass plantings, are wonderful container plant choices, make good annual ground covers, and inside make colorful, easy-care houseplants. Begonias are a very large group of plants, many of which also make gorgeous house plants, but the most common by far is the familiar wax begonia pictured here. All begonias appreciate a well drained soil and a monthly feeding with fish emulsion. Begonias can be propagated by seed or cuttings, with cuttings being the preferred method. Even under perfect conditions, Begonias can be difficult to raise from seed (the seeds are small and slow to germinate), but if you are determined, seeding is best done indoors in flats. Cuttings placed in a moist soil root easily and quickly, and are a great way to increase your supply of these valuable landscape plants. Wax Begonias come in a variety of flower and leaf colors. The flowers come in whites, pinks, and reds, and the leaves are bright green to bronze. The bronze leafed varieties are generally more tolerant of hot, sunny conditions, so keep this in mind when planting in bright sun areas. Once established, Begonias are surprisingly drought tolerant, but be sure to keep new transplants well watered for the first month or so. Begonia flowers are edible, but you will get more mileage from the tuberous types because of their much larger flowers. They have a citrus-spicy taste. |
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Gardens Ablaze |
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Few
plants can compare to the Begonia for long-lasting color, reasonable drought
tolerance, easy care, and memorable impact when used in mass plantings.
These are the features that make it very popular with commercial landscapers,
and many examples of very creative use of these plants can be seen around office
buildings, malls, apartment complexes, etc. If you are looking for the perfect
easy-care annual to fill those empty pots on either side of the entryway, then Begonias should be on the top of your list.