At this time of year, we have a lot of gardeners interested in growing begonias. There are the bedding types which come with a choice of green or dark foliage, and pink, red or white flowers. These things can grow in full sun but also do well when in shade for part of the day. Cut them back and they come again. A really cold winter will kill them when they are in exposed positions, but quite often in Melbourne they will survive and have a terrific second year although rarely flower as well as in the first.
Then there are the amazing foliaged rex begonias and also tuberous begonias which have the spectacular double flowers in bright yellows, pinks, reds, whites and picotees. They are really dry tolerant and I guess thats why Ballarat has their famous begonia festival. There are heaps of other interesting begonias and the best place to see them is at a begonia show. I remember going to a good one in Februaury at the Mount Waverly town hall. It was when the Dahlia show was on there. (Maybe its there again this year).
There is a fairly new begonia that is like a bedding begonia but on steroids. It comes from plant breeder Ball and it is perfect for big pots, hanging baskets, and garden beds. It is called Dragon Wings. We have planted it outside Collectors Corner and it is going beserk! It is in a similar place to a back patio. In fact (and now here's the big shameless plug) we have just bought an entire batch of them from a top Melbourne grower and are putting them out in a 20cm pot in flower for only $8.95. That is a saving of $10. .....but they are only available here at Gardenworld. The first 50 got put out today and I have already sold 2..........um I me 3, cause I've bought one for my own front door.
Here are some picks from Ball, with shots of our own to follow.
nearly "kid" high with coleus and dichondra
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