"Meet some shrub-like begonias"

Easy-going plants with a long flowering period, for shady spots
Sunday, 12 February 2023     

Begonia acutifolia

Tall, tough and long-flowering cane Begonia - in full and glorious bloom at the moment - are probably better known than their cousins the shrub-like Begonia, but these plants are equally wonderful and useful in the garden. Like the cane types, they flower profusely from October onwards, all through summer and autumn, even into winter in mild suburbs. Some flower literally all year. They seem to be at their very peak around February and March. They are drought- and heat-tolerant, bloom well in semi-shade and can all be grown in pots as well as in the garden. They are excellent for flower arrangements, lasting for ages in a vase. There are over 300 species and cultivars grown in gardens today. Most of the species originated in Central and Southern America, and they seem perfectly suited to Sydney's climate. They are actually succulent perennials but are treated like shrubs in the garden because of their growth habit.

These plants overall have a greater diversity than the cane types. Growth habits vary from the low-growing, delightfully lime-striped Begonia listada (ht 25 cm) to the statuesque Begonia luxurians (ht 1.5 m to 2.5 m) with its slim, long-fingered leaves and lacy white flowers; many are around the 1 m mark in height. Leaves range from being small, glossy and dainty, as in the fern-like foliage of Begonia foliosa (60 cm) to ones which are huge and hairy, and textured with deeply cut veins as in Begonia scharffii (or maybe more correctly Begonia scharffiana?) (ht 1.2 m). Some have leaves which are beautifully marked with silver and purplish-green, such as 'Little Brother Montgomery' (ht 70 cm); the foliage of Begonia metallica (ht 1.2 m) has a lustrous sheen that brings light into shaded areas of the garden.

The waxy flowers are held in thick clusters, and they are usually white or pink. Begonia 'Nellie Bly' (ht 1 m) is a particularly lovely pale pink and white cultivar. There are some brilliant red blooms, such as those of Begonia fuchsioides 'Red Cascade' (ht 1 m or more), the so-called 'fuchsia begonia', which has amazingly shiny pendulous blooms reminiscent of species Fuchsia. 'Island Gem' (ht 70 cm) is a vigorous form and can cope with a fair bit of sun: in sun its blooms are pink, whereas they are white if it is grown in shade; this also applies to Begonia acutifolia, illustrated at the start of the blog. White-flowered Begonia arborescens var. oxyphylla (ht 1 m) makes a good small hedge in part-shade. Begonia minor is a robust species (ht to 1 m) with rounded leaves and thick clusters of pink and white flowers.

The shrub-like Begonia are natural partners for Plectranthus and Camellia sasanqua, which also thrive in shade and are so stunning in autumn when these Begonia are still in full bloom; they also look good growing with most of the Justicia species, mophead Hydrangea and Japanese windflowers. Shade-tolerant strappy leaves such as those of giant Liriope (in bloom now) or Iris japonica provide a contrast of foliage. The pink or white freckled leaves of the polka-dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) can be paired with shrub-like Begonia blooms of the same hue as their spots. And, of course, the shrub-like Begonia look wonderful grown with cane-stemmed and rhizomatous Begonia! The more compact shrub-like Begonia are excellent for filling gaps between larger shrubs.

I generally prune the plants back a bit in late winter then feed them with a general-purpose fertiliser. They can be cut back hard if they have become leggy. Tip pruning of young plants will promote a compact shape. They generally will do well in ordinary garden soil with some compost dug in, and they don't like too much water (although Begonia foliosa is said to be an exception to this). They enjoy an application of mulch. They are easily propagated from cuttings taken in spring or autumn. They are frost sensitive but will survive through winter in most Sydney suburbs.

Blog originally posted 18 April 2009; updated 12 February 2023.


 Reader Comments

1/4  Bren - 2540 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 13 February 2023

I absolutely love these begonias. I have found that most dont tolerate direct sun, and I am finding it increasingly difficult to find suitable places to put them in my garden. I have obtained a number of interesting specimens from the Friend's shop in the Sydney Botanic Gardens. A number are good in sun but also most are so useful for shade. Good to know the Friends still sell Begonias at that nursery. Deirdre


2/4  Margaret - 2122 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Monday, 13 February 2023

Fantastic! There is a dispute over the names of scharffii and ... ana. A slight difference in flower colour, but plants are very similar. Hard to tell apart! A few other plants to consider: B. venosa, a sunlover, felted, grey leaves; sanguinea, deep green foliage, rich red underneath; foliosa (fern leaf), shade, water lover, plant groups beside a pond; Garcia, shade, a mass of white flowers; peltata, hairy, felt-like pale green leaves, white fl. Good growing! Thanks so much for mentioning these other ones, Margaret! Deirdre


3/4  Lloyd - 4060 (Zone:11A - Sub-tropical) Monday, 13 February 2023

I spotted a shrub begonia when visiting Maleny in the Sunshine Coast hinterland back in October 22 and was given some cuttings, intending to do my first experiment with leaf cuttings. To my amazement I am now the proud father of seven successful strikes. The eighth was not flourishing so just yesterday I pulled it out of the coir peat to find about 50mm of fine roots. Oops! Patience is a virtue in gardening I am finding. Now to plant them up - maybe not in this heat though. Suggestions please? Great result striking the cuttings. I don't tend to plant things out till it's cooler in autumn. Maybe pot on now if they need more room. Hope the plants do well. Deirdre


4/4  Sue - 2074 (Zone:10 - Warm Temperate) Wednesday, 15 February 2023

One of my favourite plants. They are such giving plants with their interesting leaves and then flowers and quite tough here in Sydney. Have quite a few in pots and some canes and shrub-type in the garden beds. Margaret mentioned B. venosa with its fabulous grey furry leaves and stems covered in paper like wings. I recently bought this and have it growing inside near a large bright-lit window. Hopefully will do well even though a sun-lover. They are good, aren't they! Hope your new one does well. Deirdre


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