List 6 – Begonia grandis
Begonia grandis (hardy begonia)
Family: Begoniaceae
USDA Hardiness Zone: Zone 6-7
Size:
- 5-2 ft wide
- 5-2 ft tall
Form:
- Clump forming
Soil & Water requirements:
- Rich, moist
- Well-drained
- Do not allow soils to dry out
Exposure:
- Part to full shade
- Shelter from afternoon sun
Leaves:
- Large, ovate with cordate bases; red veining
- Medium to olive green on top and red/burgundy on the back
- Very attractive to see the red underside contrast with the green tops; backlighting could accentuate this
- Herbaceous perennial
Flowers:
- Pink flowers
- In late summer (July to October)
Suitable uses:
- Front of the border plant
- Woodland garden
- Shade garden
Potential pairings:
- Mixes well with hostas and ferns
- Colour partners: green; burgundy; pink
Propagation:
- Put a leaf in sand; can place multiple pins on leaf to have growth at each hole
- Requires high moisture; place in plastic bag
- Often reseeds itself to form larger colonies
Other:
- Watery stems, therefore can easily be destroyed if disturbed (ie. Children running through planting or large dogs)