Hardy Begonias
Begonia grandis is a captivating perennial with elegant foliage and charming pink flowers, perfect for adding beauty and charm to any garden.
Begonia grandis, also known as Hardy Begonia, is a herbaceous perennial native to China and Japan. It stands out for its unique ornamental characteristics and tolerance to shade.
Habit and Size: This robust tuberous perennial typically grows to a height of about 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) and a similar width. It displays a mounding growth habit with a somewhat bushy appearance. Its size makes it an excellent choice for small gardens, containers, or filling in spaces in larger landscape designs.
Flowers: The blooms are small, delicate, and pendulous. They come in shades of pink or white and are arranged in clusters at the tips of branching pinkish-red stems. The plant is dioecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant; male flowers are showier.
Foliage: The foliage is as appealing as the flowers, if not more so. Leaves are heart-shaped, glossy green on top and red underneath, with red veining. In autumn, the leaves turn a stunning shade of red.
Blooming Season: Flowering typically occurs from mid-summer into fall.
Hardiness: It is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9.
Uses: Hardy Begonia is valued for its shade tolerance and is often used in woodland gardens, borders, rock gardens, or containers. Its attractive leaves and late-season flowers add interest to the garden.
Pollinators: The flowers attract a range of pollinators, particularly bees.
Toxicity: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and can cause skin irritation upon contact.
Deer and Rabbit: The plant is generally resistant to both deer and rabbits.
Drought: While it prefers moist soil, Hardy Begonia can tolerate short periods of drought.
Invasiveness: It is not considered invasive; however, it can self-seed under optimal conditions, leading to more plants in subsequent years. Slow-sprouting, these shade-loving perennials come up in spring from a dormant tuber. As winter approaches, they self-propagate by small bullets, which form in the leaf axils and drop to the ground, resulting in a lovely patch of begonias.
This plant is one of the few species of begonias that are hardy enough to be grown outdoors year-round in many climates. Its ability to bloom in the shade, combined with its late-season flowers and stunning foliage, makes it a precious addition to the garden
| Hardiness |
6 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
5 - 9 |
| Climate Zones | 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Begonia |
| Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid, Late) Fall |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Tolerance | Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Bees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Ground Covers, Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden |
Begonia grandis, or Hardy Begonia, offers many opportunities for garden design. Here are some suggestions:
Shade Garden: Begonia grandis excels in shade gardens where its bright, light-catching foliage and pink or white flowers provide a striking contrast against darker foliage plants. Combine with hostas, ferns, astilbes, or heucheras for a rich tapestry of color and texture.
Underplanting Trees and Shrubs: The hardy begonia can thrive in the dappled shade of trees and shrubs. Plant beneath rhododendrons, hydrangeas, or flowering dogwoods for a multi-tiered display.
Woodland Borders: Hardy begonia fits naturally into a woodland garden style. Use it along pathways or as a border, combined with other woodland plants such as bleeding heart (Dicentra), Columbine (Aquilegia), and Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum).
Container Gardening: Hardy begonia can also be planted in containers, either alone as a stunning specimen or mixed with other shade-loving plants.
Remember, Begonia grandis thrives in well-draining, rich soil in shaded areas. These conditions will allow this plant to flourish and bring an exotic touch to your garden.
Begonia grandis, also known as Hardy Begonia, thrives in shaded gardens and pairs well with a variety of plants that prefer similar conditions. Here are some suitable companion plants:
Hostas (Hosta spp.): The large, textured leaves of hostas provide a perfect contrast to the glossy, delicate foliage of Begonia grandis.
Ferns (Various Genera): Ferns come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and their delicate fronds complement the larger leaves of Begonia grandis.
Heucheras (Heuchera spp.): With their colorful leaves and tall flower spikes, heucheras can add another layer of interest to a garden featuring Begonia grandis.
Astilbes (Astilbe spp.): The fluffy, colorful flower plumes of astilbes can provide a stunning contrast to the more understated blooms of Begonia grandis.
Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.): With their delicate bell-shaped flowers and colorful foliage, these plants pair beautifully with begonias.
Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum spp.): The arching stems and hanging flowers of Solomon’s Seal provide a nice counterpoint to the upright growth habit of Begonia grandis.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra): The distinctive, heart-shaped flowers of the bleeding heart can provide a striking contrast to the more understated blooms of Begonia grandis.
Columbine (Aquilegia): Columbines are another excellent choice. Their unique, bell-shaped flowers can add a touch of whimsy to the garden.
Rhododendrons: These shrubs, known for their stunning, vibrant flowers, can serve as a beautiful backdrop for the smaller Begonia grandis. They also love acidic soils, which Begonia grandis can tolerate.
Hydrangeas: With their large, round clusters of flowers, hydrangeas can provide a nice contrast to the delicate, pendulous blooms of Begonia grandis.
Flowering Dogwoods (Cornus): Flowering dogwoods are a wonderful choice for adding vertical interest and springtime blooms. They can create a beautiful canopy under which Begonia grandis can grow.
Remember, all these plants prefer part to full shade and well-drained soil, so they’ll thrive under the same conditions as Begonia grandis. The key to a successful garden design is understanding each plant’s requirements and ensuring they are compatible.
Growing Begonia grandis, also known as Hardy Begonia, is not overly complicated, and they’re a lovely addition to the garden due to their unique and attractive foliage and pretty pink flowers. Here are some steps to help you grow them:
Location and Soil: Hardy Begonias prefer a location with part shade or full shade. They grow well in well-draining soil rich in organic matter. They can tolerate a wide pH range but prefer slightly acidic soil.
Planting: Plant the bulbs in spring, spacing them about a foot apart. The bulbs or tubers should be planted just below the soil surface with the indented side facing upwards. After planting, water them well.
Watering: These plants prefer moist but well-drained soil. Water them regularly, but make sure not to overwater as this can lead to rot.
Fertilizing: While Hardy Begonias aren’t heavy feeders, you can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to promote vigorous growth.
Pruning: Deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms.
Maintenance: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooming. In the fall, after the foliage has died back, you can leave the tubers in the ground in warmer zones (USDA zones 6-9), but in colder climates, they should be dug up and stored indoors over winter.
Propagation: Begonia grandis can be propagated by seed, stem cuttings or by division. If you’re dividing, the best time to do this is in early spring before new growth starts.
Keep an eye out for potential issues like powdery mildew, stem rot, or pests like slugs and snails. If your plants are healthy and well-cared for, these problems should be minimal. Remember, every garden is unique, so monitor your plants and adjust care as necessary.
Hiyoman, Simon Pavan / Shutterstock
| Hardiness |
6 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
5 - 9 |
| Climate Zones | 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Begonia |
| Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid, Late) Fall |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Tolerance | Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Bees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Ground Covers, Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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