PLANTprofile

Hardy Begonia

By Kathy Jentz

Hardy Begonia (Begonia grandis) is a long-blooming garden perennial that is hardy to USDA Zones 6 to 9. They bloom from mid-summer through early fall with delicate pink or white dangling flowers. You can deadhead the blooms to encourage continuous flowering. The foliage is also attractive, with large, heart-shaped leaves that are a lovely red on their underside. If you can place the plants in an elevated spot, the sun reflecting through the veined leaves is quite attractive. They thrive in part sun to full shade with rich, moist (but well-draining) soil. The plant is of Asian origin and is a good addition to any woodland garden. Hardy Begonia grows to between 1 to 2 feet high. It performs well underneath shrubs and trees. It will spread to form a small colony if allowed to self-sow. However, if you mulch or clean up around it in the fall, that will prevent it from reproducing. Hardy Begonia dies back in winter and reemerges in spring from an underground tuber. You can spread a bit of compost on the soil surface in early spring when the plants are still dormant to give them some extra nutrition; they need little care otherwise. o

Kathy Jentz is the editor and founder of Washington Gardener.