I walk by a bed of beautiful begonias. I like them because they do well in partial shade and can really brighten up a shady area. There are a lot of plants that do well in full sun and not nearly as many that do well in shade. So, it is gratifying to find one that is so pretty and tolerates shade. I have also bought begonias as gifts for people in the hospital because they last much longer than cut flowers and can be taken home and planted. No matter what the trouble — physical ailment, depression or simply worn out from the pandemic — cheerful begonias can put a smile on any face. Let’s learn more about them.
According to Wikipedia, begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. The genus contains more than 2,000 different plant species. Begonias are native to moist subtropical and tropical climates. Some species are commonly grown indoors as ornamental houseplants in cooler climates. In cooler climates some species are cultivated outside in summertime for their bright colorful flowers, which have sepals but no petals.
Description
With 2,002 species, begonia is one of the largest genera of flowering plants. The species are terrestrial and sometimes epiphytic herbs or undershrubs, and occur in subtropical and tropical moist climates, in South and Central America, Africa and southern Asia. Terrestrial species in the wild are commonly upright-stemmed, rhizomatous or tuberous. The plants are monoecious, with unisexual male and female flowers occurring separately on the same plant; the male contains numerous stamens, and the female has a large inferior ovary and two to four branched or twisted stigmas. In most species, the fruit is a winged capsule containing numerous minute seeds, although baccate fruits are also known. The leaves — which are often large and variously marked or variegated — are usually asymmetric or unequal-sided.
Taxonomy
The genus name begonia was coined by Charles Plumier, a French patron of botany, and adopted by Linnaeus in 1753 to honor Michel Bégon, a former governor of the French colony of Saint-Domingue, now Haiti.
Selected species
Scarlet begonia or Begonia coccinea
Begonia coccinea, the scarlet begonia, is a species of plant in the family Begoniaceae. It is native to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil.
Begonia foliosa
Begonia foliosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Colombia and Venezuela. It is a shrublike begonia growing to 3.3 feet, bearing succulent, pendent stems 18 inches long, thickly clothed with glossy oval green leaves, and producing panicles of small white flowers. The variety commonly cultivated is B. foliosa var. miniata with pink or red flowers. As it does not tolerate temperatures below 32 °F, in temperate regions it requires winter protection. The variety B. foliosa var. miniata has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Hardy begonia or Begonia grandis
Begonia grandis, the hardy begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae. This herbaceous perennial has alternate, simple leaves on arching stems. The flowers are pink or white, borne in dichotomously branching cymes from late summer through fall in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zone 7. As the common name "hardy begonia" implies, it is winter hardy in some temperate regions.
It can overwinter well in Hardiness Zone 9a in southwestern Japan as tuberous roots or bulbils; bulbils are formed in axils. Above-ground parts of this plant eventually die as temperature lowers. However, it is generally regarded as hardy to zones 6–7.
The varieties Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana and Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana var. alba have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Wax begonia, clubed begonia or Begonia cucullata
Begonia cucullata, also known as wax begonia and clubed begonia, is a species of the Begoniaceae that is native to South American countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. A common garden plant and part of the section Begonia, it was described in 1805 by Carl Ludwig Willdenow (1765–1812). The specific epithet "cucullata" means "resembling a hood" or "hooded."
The plant is an upright growing, herbaceous perennial that has almost symmetrical succulent pale green to pale reddish brown leaves that are ovate, glabrous 4–8 cm long and 6 cm wide, with edged, glossy and toothed crenation. Grown as a ground cover, the flowers of the plant are red, pink or white that bloom in the summer or year-round in warmer places, and the fruits have three wings.
Native to South America, wax begonia is also found growing invasively in Florida, namely from the northern and central peninsula west to central panhandle, and also in Georgia. The plant may invade waysides, deforested areas, overgrazed pastureland and wastelands.
Because they are such prolific seed producers, seeds are thought to be the primary way begonias spread when left unchecked. They can also root very easily, but this may not play much of a role under natural conditions.
Older varieties prefer shade, though newer varieties tolerate both full sun and shade. Indoors, they can thrive in a south- or east-facing window, provided they are acclimated when their environment is changed.
Cultivation
The different groups of begonias have different cultural requirements, but most species come from tropical regions, so they and their hybrids require warm temperatures. Most are forest understory plants and require bright shade; few will tolerate full sun, especially in warmer climates. In general, begonias require a well-drained growing medium that is neither constantly wet nor allowed to dry out completely. Many begonias will grow and flower year-round except for tuberous begonias, which usually have a dormant period. During this dormant period, the tubers can be stored in a cool, dry place. Begonias of the semperflorens group or wax begonias are frequently grown as bedding plants outdoors. Wax begonias are very attractive; they adapt well when brought inside the house for overwintering and can live up to 4-5 years.
A recent group of hybrids derived from this group is marketed as "Dragon Wing" begonias; they are much larger both in leaf and in flower. Tuberous begonias are frequently used as container plants. Although most Begonia species are tropical or subtropical in origin, the Chinese species B. grandis is hardy to USDA hardiness zone 6 and is commonly known as the "hardy begonia." Most begonias can be grown outdoors year-round in subtropical or tropical climates, but in temperate climates, begonias are grown outdoors as annuals or as house or greenhouse plants.
Most begonias are easily propagated by division or from stem cuttings. In addition, some can be propagated from leaf cuttings or even sections of leaves, particularly the members of the rhizomatous and rex groups.
Cultivar groups
Because of their sometimes showy flowers of white, pink, scarlet or yellow color and often attractively marked leaves, many species and innumerable hybrids and cultivars are cultivated. The genus is unusual in that species throughout the genus — even those coming from different continents — can frequently be hybridized with each other, and this has led to an enormous number of cultivars. The American Begonia Society classifies begonias into several major groups:
Cane begonia
The cane begonias are a group of Begonia cultivars. Their name derives from their tough, bamboo-like stems. They can grow up to 10 feet tall, which may necessitate staking. They are often ideal as houseplants when kept under control.
Angel wing begonias are hybrid cane Begonias which resulted from a cross between Begonia aconitifolia and B. coccinea. The hybridization was made by California plant breeder Eva Kenworthy Gray in 1926. The name derives from their pointed leaves. The flowers are edible, with a sweet tart taste.
The dragon wing cultivars are sterile, cane forming Begonia × hybrida. They are very similar to Christmas candy begonias and angel wings.
The superba begonias are cultivars of Begonia aconitifolia.
Shrub-like begonias
Tuberous begonias or Begonia x tuberhybrida
Tuberous begonias — Begonia × tuberhybrida Voss, also known as the Tuberhybrida Group or the Tuberosa Group — are a group of Begonia cultivars, sometimes regarded as some of the most spectacular of the genus.
One of the first hybrids produced was B. x sedenii in 1870, a cross between B. boliviensis — collected by botanist Richard Pearce — and a species from the Andes. Another species from Peru, B. davisii, named after Walter Davis, was also used in early breeding.
The University of Vermont recognizes the following 13 groups:
1. (S) Single — large single flowers, four usually flat tepals, flower part undistinguishable as sepal or petal.
2. (Fr) Frilled, Crispa — large single flowers, tepal margins frilled or ruffled.
3. (Cr) Cristata, Crested — large single flowers, frilled or tufted center of tepals.
4. (N) Narcissiflora, Daffodil-flowered — large more or less double flowers, central tepals form "trumpet."
5. (C) Camellia, Camelliflora — large double flowers resembling camellias, unruffled, solid colors.
6. (RC) Ruffled Camellia — camellia flowers ruffled on edges.
7. (R) Rosebud, Rosiflora — large double flowers with rosebud-like center.
8. (Car) Carnation, Fimbriata Plena — large double carnation-like flowers, tepals fringed on margins.
9. (P) Picotee — large usually double flowers like camellias, tepals with different color on margin blending with other color.
10. (M) Marginata — like Picotee only distinct nonblending line of color on margins.
11. (Mar) Marmorata, Marbled — like Camellia but rose-colored, blotched or spotted with white.
12. (HB) Hanging Basket, Pendula — stems trailing or pendant, large to small flowers single or double.
13. (Mul) Multiflora — low, bushy, compact plants with many small single or double flowers.
Other systems confusingly use binomial nomenclature to refer to flower types, by the terms Begonia grandiflora, Begonia multiflora and Begonia pendula. The last two correspond to groups 13 and 12, respectively. The first type, grandiflora or large flowered is then subdivided by flower form; e.g. Begonia grandiflora erecta.
Tuberous begonias grow best in partial shade or filtered sunlight. Excessive exposure to sunlight can result in burned flowers and leaves. However, too much shade will result in compensatory growth of foliage at the expense of flowers.
Rhizomatous begonias
According to the article “Rhizomatous Begonia” at mygardenlife.com, rhizomatous begonias are grown for their fantastic array of colorful foliage. They are available in a wide range of sizes, leaf forms and textures and bloom well under optimum conditions. Plants spread by thick, horizontal roots called “rhizomes.” They are superb for baskets, containers and window boxes and also wonderful for combination plantings.
Semperflorens — wax or fibrous-rooted begonias
Rex begonias
Trailing-scandent begonias
According to the article “Trailing-Scandent Begonias” from the American Begonia Society, the trailing type of begonia are grown mostly for their trailing habit but put on a spectacular show of flowers, usually in the spring.
Some of the newer varieties have a longer blooming period or are ever blooming. Some have glossy leaves and look like a philodendron, but others grow large leaves and will climb. In their native habitat these types will climb up the trunks of trees. Most of the trailing types have white or pink flowers.
Thick-stemmed begonias
Culture
Kimjongilia is a flower named after the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. It is a hybrid cultivar of tuberous begonia, registered as Begonia × tuberhybrida 'Kimjongilhwa.' When Kim Jong-il died in December 2011, the flower was used to adorn his body for public display. Despite its name, the Kimjongilia is not the official national flower of North Korea, which is the Magnolia sieboldii. Another flower, Kimilsungia, is an orchid cultivar named after Kim Jong-il's father and predecessor, Kim Il-sung.
To commemorate Kim Jong-il's 46th birthday in 1988, Japanese botanist Kamo Mototeru cultivated a new perennial begonia named "kimjongilia" — literally, "flower of Kim Jong-il" — representing the Juche revolutionary cause of the Dear Leader. It was presented as a "token of friendship between Korea and Japan." The flower symbolizes wisdom, love, justice and peace. It is designed to bloom every year around the Day of the Shining Star, Kim Jong-il's birthday, February 16. According to the Korean Central News Agency, a preservation agent had been developed that would allow the flower to keep in bloom for longer periods of time.
A song composed by several North Korean composers, also called "Kimjongilia," was written about the flower:
The red flowers that are blossoming over our land Are like hearts: full of love for the leader Our hearts follow the young buds of Kimjongilia Oh! The flower of our loyalty!
Most begonias are sour to the taste, and some people in some areas eat them. This is safe in small amounts but potentially toxic in large quantities due to the prevalence of oxalic acid in the tissues.
“Scarlet Begonias” by the Grateful Dead
"Scarlet Begonias" is a song by the Grateful Dead. The lyrics were written by Robert Hunter and the music was by Jerry Garcia. The live debut of "Scarlet Begonias" came on March 23, 1974 at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California.
The song begins in Grosvenor Square in London and also references "Tea for Two" from “No, No, Nanette” by Irving Caesar and Vincent Youmans.
The third stanza uses gambling/loss imagery that occurs in many Grateful Dead songs. The line "As I picked up my matches and was closing the door" uses the symbolism of playing poker with matchsticks to indicate a very low stakes gamble that was made for fun.
The line "Everybody's playing in the Heart of Gold Band" was used by Keith and Donna Godchaux to name their new group "Heart of Gold Band" when they left Grateful Dead in 1979.
The recording first appears on the 1974 release “From the Mars Hotel.” When "Fire on the Mountain" was incorporated into the band's repertoire in 1977, "Scarlet Begonias" would often be paired with it when played live, resulting in what would be nicknamed "Scarlet > Fire."
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