Gardening : Other : Beautiful Begonias : Home & Garden Television

With their showstopping leaf colors and textures and lovely blooms, begonias offer a lot to the landscape. In most climates, they're generally considered annuals and are commonly used in ornamental beds, hanging baskets, wreath frames or planters. They also make excellent houseplants.

Begonia types

Figure A

Cane types (figure A), also known as angel-wing begonias, are easy to grow and bloom readily in spring and summer. There are also selections that offer colorfully patterned foliage in combination with the flowers. Since they're easily propagated, cane types can be handed down from generation to generation.

Although rex begonias (figure B) produce blooms, they're valued more for the vibrant foliage (figure C). Place in bright, indirect light. Be sure to provide rex begonias with plenty of moisture and humidity without overwatering.

Figure B

Figure C

Rieger begonias (figure D) are wonderful for indoor growing because they bloom almost all year-round; they're a cross between summer-blooming and winter-flowering begonias. Give these types moderate to bright light indoors to encourage flowering (figure E).

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

Tuberous begonias (figure F) offer attractive flowers. They're great for use in containers, hanging baskets or as a border plant to brighten up the shade garden.

Wax begonias (figure G) are popular bedding plants for shady and partly-sunny spots in the garden. These are some of the few begonias that can tolerate getting their leaves wet, and their fleshy leaves are better able to withstand the summer heat in many parts of the country.

Make a hanging begonia basket

Figure H

Figure I

Figure J

Figure K

Figure L

To make your own hanging begonia basket, you'll need quality potting soil, pre-moistened sphagnum moss, a wire frame and lots of begonias (figure H).

First, use pre-moistened sphagnum moss to create the basket's lining. If it has been soaking, wring out excess moisture. Insert enough moss against the frame to cover the bottom of the basket (figure I). Add about three cups of soil on top of the moss.

Next plant the first row. Here wax begonias were chosen for this container. Tease the roots a bit and slide each plant through the wire so that the rootball lays on top of the soil (figure J). Evenly space several plants along this rung of the basket. Add more moss along the sides of the basket and follow that up with a layer of soil.

For the next row of begonias, stagger the plants from the first row's planting. That gives a much fuller look to the basket. To finish the basket, add a top layer of moss, followed by more soil. Finish planting on top of the basket (figure K). Give the completed basket (figure L) a good drink of water.

Baskets can dry out quickly so be sure to check them daily. If the soil is dry, water thoroughly. Some gardeners have a tendency to overwater. Begonias actually like to be on the dry side, so let the soil dry lightly to the touch between watering.

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Also in this Episode

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-1208
•	Spring Gardening Q&A
•	Selecting, Planting, Pruning and Propagating Lilacs
•	Beautiful Begonias
•	Finicky Ficus?

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