"A quilt of begonias"

Rhizomatous Begonia are flowering at the moment, and can create an effective carpet in shady places.
Sunday, 23 October 2022     

Rhizomatous Begonia in bloom with other late spring perennials

At the moment, rhizomatous Begonia are smothered in dainty clouds of flowers, creating pretty, mid-spring pictures. One of the best attributes of these plants is that they will grow in quite dry, inhospitable shade. We all have such spots in our gardens, usually under trees or shrubs where few plants will thrive. By massing groups of rhizomatous Begonia, we can make an effective evergreen carpet in these adverse conditions.

They are tough, evergreen groundcover plants with thick creeping rhizomes that have shallow roots and low water needs. They have an incredible diversity of leaf forms, which vary in shape, size, surface texture, colour and patterning. These range from rounded forms which look like lily pads, to lop-sided hearts, stars and slim-fingered hands. Others have leaves with their centres coiled into three-dimensional spirals. Some have leaves with a highly lacquered sheen while others have velvet, hairy or pimpled surfaces. Leaf edges may be smooth, ruffled, twisted or saw-toothed. Leaf colours vary from bright to dark green, brown, gold, lime, silver, pewter, purplish brown to near black; with or without contrasting coloured veins, edges, splashes, streaks or coloured undersides.

A planting of a few different types of these begonias will soon knit together to form a rich patchwork quilt in a dry shady situation. Plain-leaved ones can be alternated with patterned forms, and colour can be played with: juxtaposing silvery leaves with darker foliage for example, to create a dramatic effect. They also contrast well with upright, strap-leaved plants that tolerate dry shade, such as Liriope, Arthropodium cirratum) and bromeliads; as well as with ferns. They also look lovely with spring-blooming carpeting perennials such as Lamium and Geranium species, as shown at the start of the blog.

The flowers are usually pink or white, and hover above the leaves for several weeks. They can act as a substitute in warmer areas for the airy spring woodland blooms of Heuchera, Tiarella and Tellima that do not thrive so well out of cooler climates, and they can provide an attractive display under spring-flowering shrubs.

There are many cultivars of rhizomatous begonias, and collecting them can easily become an obsession. Some reliable favourites include B. bowerae (ht 15cm, dark 'eyelash' edging on bright green foliage; pale pink flowers); 'Cleopatra' (ht 30cm, lime green, star-shaped leaf with brown markings; pale pink flowers); 'Erythrophylla' (ht 30 cm, the so-called 'beefsteak begonia', with leathery, olive green leaves, red underneath; pink flowers); 'Kara' (ht 60cm, large, crinkled, dark green and chocolate foliage; pink flowers); and 'Silver Jewel' (ht 15 cm, pebbled, green leaves marked with silver; white flowers). Some of the very fancy, unusual cultivars can be difficult to grow in garden settings, and are better suited to life in a container.

In fact, where space doesn't permit the plants to be grown in the ground, any of the rhizomatous forms can live very happily in shallow pots or hanging baskets on a shady veranda. They should be kept on the dry side, as over-watering them can be fatal, whether they are in a pot or garden bed.

Blog originally posted 3 October 2009; updated 23 October 2022.


 Reader Comments

1/6  Ann - 2076 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 05 October 2009

Our rhizomatous Begonia are all in bright shade except for the 6 weeks of midsummer and are flourishing and flowering well in moist conditions. Ann 2076

Thanks, Ann. They are very adaptable - one of mine is in full blazing sun all year round and doesn't seem to mind; the others are in dry shade. Deirdre


2/6  Margaret - 2122 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Tuesday, 06 October 2009

I can but agree with your comments on begonias. The RBG is looking good at the moment, despite the fact that someone has been pulling out some begonia plants and throwing them on the ground! Lots of rhizomatous types have dainty flowers, and look fantastic planted en masse.

Thanks, Margaret. Yes, they do look wonderful when planted like that. I am inspired to put some more in! Deirdre


3/6  Harold - 2025 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Thursday, 08 October 2009

As a new Member I find A quilt of begonias very helpful. I had not known that these plants could get along fine on dryish soils. Just last year I started a series of cuttings in my Woollahra garden, and am amazed at the growth they have made. Hope that in future I get a show like yours. Thanks.

Thanks, Harold. Good luck with your begonias! Deirdre


4/6  Pamela - 2158 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 24 October 2022

I adore them and they grow so well as you say Deidre in the most difficult spots. I literally throw handfuls of them on the ground and they take root! I thought they wouldnt like our big wet but theyve coped quite well. Id like to find B.grandis but cant seem to buy anymore. Even the bedding varieties are great in pots around box balls and last for years. The leaf variety is fantastic. RBG nursery have a great range for sale. I need more lol. They are good, aren't they. The RBG nursery is probably the best place to find begonias. Deirdre


5/6  Jude - 4560 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 24 October 2022

Delighted to see the picture of your Jacobean lily. I've long wanted to grow one and have at last tracked down three bulbs, all of which began flowering last week. Hoping they'll thrive. And I've never seen rhizomatous begonias look so lovely and I shall look out for some for my many difficult spots! Thanks, Deirdre. So glad to hear your jacobean lilies are blooming. They are simply lovely. Deirdre


6/6  Margaret - 2122 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Tuesday, 25 October 2022

I can but agree with you, Deirdre! I am an ardent fan of these plants, and never cease to be amazed by their versatility in areas where you would think they would not prosper. Thanks, Margaret. You are a begonia guru and I love seeing all the ones you grow in your gorgeous garden. Deirdre


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