The Blooming Begonias in My Greenhouse
There are so many beautiful plants blooming in my greenhouse.
I have a large collection of begonias, and it's expanding more every year. The genus begonia contains about 1500 different plant species and hundreds of hybrids. They are native to tropical and subtropical climates, so many specimens are kept indoors as ornamental houseplants. I often bring specimens inside my Winter House when I entertain. Rhizomatous begonias come in an array of sizes, colors, and textures, and can be small or large, smooth or veiny, with bold accents of red, copper and silver or subtle shades of green - I’m certain there’s at least one begonia that would inspire and captivate any gardener.
Enjoy these photos.
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- I keep these beautiful begonia plants on a long, sliding table in my main greenhouse, where they can be watched closely and maintained in a temperature and humidity-controlled space. Look at all the beautiful blooms.
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- These plants are considered cool temperature plants and will do best in temperatures ranging from 58 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. I have several large-read thermometers inside the greenhouse, so we know exactly what the temperature is at all times.
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- One of my favorite begonias is Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’. I got it two years ago from Logee’s Plants for Home and Garden in Danielson, Connecticut. It was during one of my visits to Logee’s when owner, Byron Martin, had me select one of the unnamed specimens to be named after me – I was so excited and so honored. It continues to grow and thrive in my greenhouse. https://www.logees.com/
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- As you can see, I chose an elegant, spiraled-leaf begonia. It has a compact growth habit and is about eight inches in height with a mounding display of beautiful leaves.
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- The leaf color is constantly changing and starts out with soft tones of tan, chartreuse, and beige with inner spirals of deep bronze. With increased light, the bronze tones deepen to a rustic orange. Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ is a strong grower.
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- Although most rhizomatous begonias are grown for their interesting leaves, they also display clusters of small lovely blooms that grow like clouds above the foliage.
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- The flowers range in color from blush to pink.
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- And also white – so many of them are blooming right now.
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- These plants store water and nutrients in their thick, fuzzy stems, so it is important not to overwater them. Only water these plants when the top one-inch of soil feels dry. These plants can tolerate a bit of irregular watering.
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- Begonia soli-mutata is a compact medium-sized species from Brazil. The heart-shaped leaf colors vary depending on its exposure to bright light, which is why its common name is “Sun Tan Begonia”.
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- Several of my soli-mutata begonia plants were grown from leaf cuttings off a parent plant. The leaves are highlighted by a fine, reddish hue, which is also seen on the leaf undersides.
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- Begonias grow best in light, well-drained soil. Any good light potting mix is okay for their containers.
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- Begonias are remarkably resistant to pests primarily because their leaves are rich in oxalic acid – a natural insect repellent. The leaves of this begonia have a silver tint with dark margins.
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- Begonia ‘Caravan’ has a leaf pattern of chartreuse veining on chocolate-green, with a velvety texture.
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- Flowering begonias can benefit from pinching back long stems to encourage more side branching that increases the overall fullness.
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- All begonias have oval-shaped leaves that can be spade-like with a pointed tip in some varieties. The leaves grow from the main stem in an “alternate” structure. This means they never grow opposite one another, but instead, each individual leaf emerges slightly higher on the stem than the previous.
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- This is Begonia ‘Little Brother Montgomery.’ It has starburst-shaped maroon-and-silver foliage and features fragrant blooms when mature.
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- This specimen is called ‘Madame Queen’. It boasts large, ruffled leaves distinctly marked with green on top and a rich, red-colored underside.
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- And this is Begonia acetosa, also known as ‘Ruby Begonia’. It has velvet cupped leaves with tomato red undersides. It tolerates much lower humidity than most.
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- Begonia peltata has fleshy silver-pelted leaves that become thick and waxy during winter.
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- Here’s another gorgeous specimen with bright green leaves splattered with maroon markings.
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- Begonias dislike wet feet. Between waterings, let the soil dry out slightly. And for the best results, place pots in a warm room with bright indirect light.
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- Begonias are propagated from seed or cuttings. One can root rhizome pieces in a mixture of half peat moss, half perlite.
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- In one corner of the greenhouse, we keep small pots for young developing plants. I like to add to my collection whenever I visit botanical gardens, nurseries, and even friends’ gardens.
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- Begonia paulensis has large, shiny, green leaves with an extremely textured surface. Keep this houseplant in a shady area during summer months to prevent leaf burn.
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- Here’s a closer look at one of the leaves – it is light green and has a puckered texture. The leaf petioles are densely covered with white hairs. The pattern resembles a spiderweb and gives this species one of its common names, “The Spiderweb Begonia”.
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- I love this whimsical looking Begonia ‘Wightii’ with its silver spotted leaves. Its nickname is “polka dot” and is a vigorous grower best suited for upright pots.
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- Rhizomatous begonias should be fed a general-purpose fertilizer every other week during spring and summer.
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- Rhizomatous begonias range from small, delicate plants with one-inch wide leaves to large, robust specimens with 12-inch leaves. There is no end to the variety of leaf shape, color, and texture in the begonia. Begonias make wonderful year-round houseplants. If you don’t already have a collection of your own, I hope you are inspired to get one for your windowsill.
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