Notebook
Beguiling begonias
gardens. There are many, many hybrids from 1,400 different plant species. In local garden centres you are most
B
likely to find begonias listed as Rex, tuberous, fibrous or wax, or Hiemalis begonias, which are marketed under the trade name Solenia. Most prefer a slightly shady location,
although the solenias don’t mind a lot of sunshine. Keep them lightly moist and lightly fertilized in a soil with a richly organic soil. Fibrous-rooted begonias. These
plants are in the wax begonia, Dragon Wing and cane-like begonia category. They have roots as opposed to tubers and will keep right on growing and blooming if you bring them indoors. Just put them in a bright window. The Dragon Wing begonias are very prolif- ic and easy to grow in containers. Tuberous begonias. These plants
have a fleshy root that looks like a flat- tened ball and can be stored for the winter. They will stop blooming at the end of their season and can be dug up (or left in the pot in a cool dry place) and started again next spring. They produce big beautiful blooms.
Pink ruffled begonia. Rex begonias. Rex stands for king
and most would agree that Rex bego- nias deserve the name. Grown mainly for their showy leaves they produce small flowers, but the leaves are spec- tacular. Rex begonias will grow quite happily indoors all winter. Hiemalis (Solenia) begonias. A
cross between a tuberous and a wax begonia, Hiemalis begonias tolerate sun and are covered in smaller, one- inch blossoms. They grow 12 to 18
inches tall and 10 to 12 inches wide. Glossy, dark green leaves. Don’t over- water.
egonias have been grown for about three centuries in our homes and
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Early Spring 2014 • 7
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