There are so many beautiful begonias in my greenhouse.
Begonia is a genus in the family Begoniaceae. It contains at least 1500 different plant species and numerous hybrids. They are native to Mexico, Central and South America, Asia and South Africa - regions with tropical and subtropical climates. Rhizomatous begonias are grown for their interesting and spectacular leaves. They come in an array of sizes, colors and textures, and can be small or large, smooth or veiny, decorated in bold accents of red, copper and silver or subtle shades of green. I’m certain there’s one begonia, if not more, that could inspire and captivate any gardener.
Enjoy these photos.
My growing collection of begonias is among the first one sees when entering my main greenhouse. I keep my begonias on a long, sliding table, so each plant is within easy reach.
Some of these begonias were purchased from various nurseries over the years, but many were also grown from leaf cuttings and then nurtured right here at the farm.
One can root rhizome pieces in a mixture of half peat moss, half perlite.
Most rhizomatous begonias are grown for their interesting leaves – there are so many great shapes, sizes, and colors.
They range from small, delicate plants with one-inch wide leaves to large, robust specimens with 12-inch wide leaves or more.
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 one.
And, because these plants store water in the rhizomes, which are their thick, fuzzy stems, it is important not to overwater them – water when the top-inch of soil feels dry.
Between waterings, let the soil dry out slightly. And for the best results, place pots in a warm room with bright indirect light.
The stems of the begonia carolineifolia are exceptionally thick, and show the scars of felled leaves. As a houseplant, this variety is highly decorative and easy to grow.
To successfully grow rhizomatous begonias, It’s a good idea to use clay pots as they are more porous and allow the roots to breathe. And only repot one size up when the roots have filled their current vessel.
Begonias grow best in light, well-drained soil.
This is Begonia ‘soli-mutata’. It 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.
Begonias are considered cool temperature plants and prefer temperatures ranging from 58- to 72-degrees Fahrenheit.
They are remarkably resistant to pests primarily because their leaves are rich in oxalic acid – a natural insect repellent.
While the leaves are very interesting, right now these begonias are starting to display clusters of small lovely blooms that grow like clouds above the foliage.
The flowers bloom now to early spring and can range from shades of pink blush to bright white.
Mature rhizomatous begonias sometimes have extended periods of flowering, providing weeks of color.
Begonias should be fed a general purpose fertilizer every other week during spring and summer.
This variety has bold magenta leaves with dark chocolate markings.
This one has dark green leaves with spirals of silver outlining the flower edges.
And this begonia is among my favorites – Begonia ‘Martha Stewart’ – I got my first one about five 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. This begonia has a compact growth habit and is about eight inches in height with a mounding display of beautiful bronze-green leaves. There is no end to the variety of leaf shape, color and texture in the begonia. Begonias make wonderful year-round houseplants. I hope you are inspired to get one for your windowsill.
During the cold Northeast winters, it's nice to head south and visit gardens flourishing with lush green foliage.
During a short weekend trip to Florida, my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, visited Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, previously known as Villa Vizcaya, the former winter residence of businessman James Deering of the Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune on Biscayne Bay. The extraordinary early 20th century estate includes Italian Renaissance-inspired gardens, statues, fountains, and a beautiful collection of plantings.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Platycerium is a genus of about 18 fern species in the polypod family, Polypodiaceae. Ferns in this genus are widely known as staghorn or elkhorn ferns because of the uniquely shaped fronds. Staghorn ferns like this one, abound throughout the estate.
Here is a map of the Vizcaya grounds. Villa Vizcaya was originally 180-acres and included the Main House, the gardens, and the Village—a cluster of buildings that housed the residence staff, machine shops, and domestic farm functions. Today, approximately 50 of those acres still remain as part of the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, now maintained by Miami-Dade County.
James Deering built his winter home between 1914 and 1922. This is the east façade of Vizcaya’s Main House, which was designed after an Italianate villa.
This fountain is one of the twin cascades, leading from the entry piazza to the arrival court.
Known as the Barge and built by Alexander Stirling Calder, this structure is located in the water outside the Main House. It was meant as a breakwater to protect the mansion from rising tides. Shaped as a boat, the Barge is decorated with carvings representing mythical Caribbean creatures.
The gardens of Vizcaya are reminiscent of gardens created in 17th and 18th century Italy and France. The overall design includes a series of outdoor “rooms.”
There is a formal pool flanked by clipped native oaks. These hedges protect the gardens by blocking wind and rain coming from Biscayne Bay.
The wall pots of the Secret Garden were created to hold plants from Vizcaya’s orchid collection, but proved unsuitable. Now they hold succulents, which thrive in the bright sunlight and salt air.
Dripping over this planter is the threadlike Rhipsalis baccifera, commonly known as the mistletoe cactus, an epiphytic cactus which originates from Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Florida.
The Secret Garden features grottoes. Their interiors were created to resemble the grottoes of Italy.
Here is a view from the Secret Garden through the gazebos of the East Statuary Walk.
Atop what is called the Garden Mound is collection of gnarled Live Oak trees, some of which are about 200-years old. These trees were dug from other properties as mature specimens and brought to Vizcaya.
Here is a waterfall in the formal gardens leading to the Mound. It is flanked by parallel staircases.
These stairs, which also lead to the Mound, are framed by rusticated stucco and stone walls. They were originally designed with ramps to accommodate gardeners’ carts and wheelbarrows.
The statues, busts, vases and ornamental urns range from antiquity to the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and also include various art pieces from Deering’s time.
Deering wanted the gardens to have an aged and mature look, so he used old and weathered architectural pieces wherever possible.
Designed to complement the estate, the David A. Klein Orchidarium was created and features tropical orchids and other native plantings.
Majestic palm trees dot the gardens and offer much-appreciated shade from the hot Floridian sun.
If you follow my blog regularly, you may recognize these blue agaves. I have a large collection of agaves at my farm. Agaves are exotic, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and make wonderful container plants. And, do you know… tequila is distilled from the sap of the blue agave? Agave tequilana has sugars named agavins, mostly fructose, in the core of the plant that are suitable for the preparation of alcoholic beverages. In fact, the blue agave is an important economic product of Jalisco, Mexico, where tequila is produced.
In this corner is a potted Silver Saw Palmetto, Serenoa repens ‘Silver.’ It is a small, slow-growing palm tree native to the southeastern United States. It is known for its striking silvery-blue fronds, which can reach up to five-feet long.
And here is a Strangler fig, one of several stunning specimens at Vizcaya. Strangler fig is the common name for a number of tropical and subtropical plant species in the genus Ficus, which all feature a common “strangling” growth habit. If you’re ever in the area, do stop by Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. I have been there many times myself and enjoy every visit.
For serious and passionate gardeners like myself, gardening is about color, form, and variety - I especially like rare and unusual plants.
During my recent business trip to Florida, I purchased several specimens from Excelsa Gardens in Loxahatchee Groves, a wonderful and charming nursery specializing in hard-to-find exotic tropicals. Among the plants I brought home - Euphorbia stenoclada, Licuala grandis, Dieffenbachia 'Camouflage', Philodendron 'Black Gold', Medinilla magnifica, and a Bismarckia nobibilis palm.
Here are some photos.
One of the most important outbuildings here at my farm is this large greenhouse. This is where I keep many of my potted plants. I’m always on the lookout for new and unusual houseplants to add to my collection.
It’s exciting to bring home new specimens to see how they fare. I always recommend that inexperienced gardeners go to nurseries to find what they love and then learn as much as they can from them.
This is Medinilla magnifica – a species of epiphytic flowering plant, of the family Melastomataceae, native to the Philippines.
This plant is also known as the Rose Grape, Philippine Orchid, or Pink Lantern Plant. In spring and summer its flowers bloom in shades of pink, ranging from pale pastels to deep magenta, and dangle like elegant chandelier “grapes.”
Medinilla magnifica plants have leathery, dark green leaves with a distinctive leaf vein.
Ryan hangs it up where it can receive bright light, but be shaded from the hottest sun when needed.
This is Philodendron melanochrysum ‘Black Gold.’ This plant produces leaves of iridescent black-green with pale green veins.
Though different types of plants have varying preferences in terms of pot size and needed root space, most grow well when pots are at least two-inches larger in diameter than the plant’s original pot.
Ryan places the Philodendron into the pot so its root ball top sits just under the lip of the container.
And then he pats it down to establish good contact.
After planting, Ryan adds a sprinkling of Osmocote fertilizer – made of small, round coated prills filled with nutrients.
Philodendrons like to be kept in warm temperatures and indirect light near a window. This spot in my greenhouse is perfect.
And look at the spectacular leaves, which can be up to two-feet long when mature.
This interesting plant is Euphorbia stenoclada ‘Silver Thicket.’ It is a species of plant in the family Euphorbiaceae, native to Madagascar and the Mozambique Channel Islands. It is best described as a large, upright well-branched leafless succulent shrub or small tree which can grow to be 12-feet tall and up to six-feet wide when mature.
The name “stenoclada” means “narrow-branched” and refers to the short spine-tipped leafless branches.
Ryan carefully pots this variety and other tall specimens in heavy bottomed containers, so they do not tip over. Euphorbia does well in pots that drain well and can be kept in south- or west-facing windows.
Dieffenbachia ‘Camouflage’ is an eye-catching plant with uniquely patterned lush chartreuse-colored leaves. It does best in bright indirect to full indoor sunlight. This plant also prefers moderately moist soil, but should be left alone to let the top layer of soil dry out between waterings.
Each leaf is divided by a white central midrib with specks of green throughout the leaf.
Some of you may recognize this plant, the Bismarckia. I have several of these Madagascar natives. These plants need lots of space. The palm itself grows slowly up to 30-feet or more and each thick, fan-shaped frond can reach 10-feet in diameter.
And this is one leaf of Licuala grandis – the ruffled fan palm, Vanuatu fan palm, or Palas palm, a species of palm tree in the family Arecaceae native to Vanuatu, an island nation in the Pacific. It features a trunked palm tree with wide, pleated leaves in vibrant green.
The licuala grandis does best in full sun, but prefers indirect light. I am so very pleased with these additions to my greenhouse. I am looking forward to seeing them all mature and thrive.
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