contribute effortless color and attract pollinator to your garden with timeless , wide-ranging , gentle - to - please begonia flowers .
Begonia flowers may not be as lionize asrosesorpeonies , but the classic annuals can be every bit as captivating . Though once write off as honest-to-god - fashioned , begonia now come in a panoptic regalia of vivacious , garden - quick varieties , thanks to modern nurture . This wildly diverse group — including tuberous , rex , and holy person wing begonias , among others — thrives in a range of light term and is astonishingly gentle to produce . Plus , unlike other popular blossoming plants , begonia plant often sweeten the deal withattractive foliage . So , if you think begonia flowers are boring and superannuated , here are six facts that will change your brain .
1. A Rainbow of Begonia Flower Colors
Begonias are known for their wide range of foliage colors , but you ’ll also find begonia flowers in all sort of hue . Classic begoniacolors like white-hot , yellow , and pink are now link up by a full spectrum of chromaticity , including scarlet , orange , and peach . What ’s more , through traditional breeding practices , many begonia form are now available with multicolored blooms that rival roses in their complexity and intensity .
Robert Cardillo
2. Single and Double Form Begonia Flowers
Across the world of industrial plant , flowers come in a variety of forms , from simple and unshowy to complex and splashy . The world of begonia includes all such variations , including both single and two-fold blooming .
So , what are single and double flowers ? Single flower forms have one level of petals , while double var. have multiple layers . Single begonia flowers typically have four petal , but can have as few as two . They ’re beautiful but not necessarily ostentatious . threefold - flowered begonias , on the other hand , have Lot of petals and areoften compared to camelliasor rosebush . These orotund flowers , which are chiefly establish in polish , require more vitality from the industrial plant but are very showy throughout their flower menstruation .
Interestingly , begonia mixture with duple flowers do not all have the same identification number of flower petal ; some flowers will appear much total and thicker than others . Just like with birds and some other creatures , the males are showier and have greater variability in form . And yes , begonia flowers are either male or distaff .
3. No Deadheading Required
Many plants require regular remotion of honest-to-god flowers ( deadheading ) to keep them reblooming throughout the season . Deadheading is need with most flowering flora because they ’re undertake to make seed . dilute off old flowers causes plants to grow new flush in their incessant quest to regurgitate .
With some plant , however , this is n’t necessary . begonia fall into this class and seldom — if ever — need to be deadheaded to induce unexampled blooms . If their flowers are n’t pollinate , they drop off comparatively promptly and are replace by new flowers . Newer variety ofwax begonias(Begonia semperflorens ) and dragon wings , as well as their derivatives , will typically bloom throughout the summertime until Robert Lee Frost .
4. Sweet Scents
Although most begonia flowers are n’t scented , some dohave a fragrance . Species such asBegonia odorataand some other crossbreed produce a light fragrance obtrusive on the breeze . Look for cultivar such as ' Angelique ' , a double - floweredB. odoratahybrid with white to pink blush . And , while most begonias areshade - loving works , Begonia odoratais also have intercourse for its sun margin , entail many smorgasbord derived from the species can handlegrowing in full sun .
Marty Baldwin
5. Hummingbird Magnets
Begonias are a hugely diverse group of plants , and that diversity extends to thetypes of pollinatorsattracted to their flowers . Many species of begonias and their varieties are excellent source of ambrosia that hummingbirds bump resistless . hummingbird often seek outorange and carmine - colorful flowers , and some metal money , likeBegonia boliviensis , fit the bill perfectly as they are native to hummingbird country in the Andes of South America .
6. Edible Begonia Flowers
While you might never have cerebrate about biting into your begonias , the flowers are indeed edible . And , asedible flower connoisseursout there know , some of the tastiest begonias available are also loaded with petal . Common types , such as tuberous and wax begonias , are say to have a cucumber - like crunch and a slightly citrusy , tangy taste . But of course , as with any edible flower , confirm the variety is safe to eat before you munch and make trusted the plants have n’t been treated with pesticide .
Begonia Flowers to Grow
There are manyvarieties of begonia , so look at the unlike types and decide which would be good for you . two-fold - blossomedtuberous begoniasare great for fly-by-night spot or in pots . Rex begoniasare prized for their jazzy leaf and can be produce in the sunlight . However , they ’re toxic to pets and should be imbed where they wo n’t be nibbled on . Pair begonia flowers with herbs for acontainer garden . If you ’re interested inraising begoniasas houseplants , followthese tipsfor their care .
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically , no . Most begonia varieties are grown as annuals in coolheaded climates . However , some begonia can be overwintered or grown as perennials in warm zones .
Yes ! cervid and rabbits tend to invalidate begonias , particularly wax begonias or those with fuzzy leaf and stems .
utterly . In fact , begonia are a popular pick for attend baskets and window boxes due to their lush foliation and versatility .
Credit:Marty Baldwin
