Plants Nouveau launches its Lunar Light Rex Begonia series with Sterling Moon. (C) Photo Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Many gardeners struggle with annuals for the shade. Bedding impatiens dropped out of favor when they contracted impatiens downy mildew. Bedding begonias didn’t cut it, but the newer hybrids, such as Big and Whopper, gained ground.
Beyond the common garden begonias are beautiful Rex hybrid begonias, especially some new ones on the market. These are begonias relished for their foliage, intricate veins, eye-catching colors, puckered leaves and more. Here are a few to consider:
One of Ball’s Jurassic Jr.’s is Red Splash Rex Begonia. Photo courtesy Bullhorn.com
Jurassic Jr.’s Red Splash Rex Begonia
Silver Point is one of 22 Jurassic Series begonias from Ball Ingenuity. These are not your puny begonias, but rather big leaf beauties. They are bred for four different sizes: Dino (small), Jr. (medium), Jurassic, (medium), and Megalo (large).
Not only will these begonias mix nicely with hostas and ferns in the landscape, they also work well in pots with other shade to part shade plants.
Shadow King Cool White Rex begonia from ProvenWinners.com
Shadow King Cool White Rex Begonia
Cool White from Proven Winners definitely brightens the shade garden or a pot in the shade. With its cool gray-white leaves, it will mix with about any color and plants. There are two more begonias in the Shadow King series: Cherry Mint and Black Cherry.
Lunar Lights Sterling Moon Rex begonia from PlantsNouveau.com
Lunar Lights Sterling Moon Rex Begonia
Plants Nouveau brings this to market the first of what many hope is a multiplant series. Sterling Moon has thick, puckered gray leaves with deep green veins.
How to Grow Rex Begonias
Rex begonias likely got their horticulture start as houseplants. Like many other popular garden plants (can you say coleus?), these begonias found a new purpose in the garden. Grow Rex begonias in shade to part shade or part sun. Filtered sun is another option. Rex begonias are fairly drought tolerant. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Too much water will cause them to rot. Give Rex begonias good air circulation to ward off any fungus diseased.
Bring Rex Begonias Indoors
In winter, you can dig up the begonias and bring them indoors to a bright window. Be careful not to overwater Rex begonias indoors and usually they don’t need fertilizer until new growth in spring.
Move Rex Begonias Back Outdoors
Acclimate the begonias to the outdoor scene by giving them a few days in a shady location on warm spring days (above 60 degrees F) and move them back indoors at night. Return to the outdoors when night temps are above 45 to 50 degrees F.
What About Your Shade Garden?
For more information about spiffing up your shade garden, contact your Holeman professional.
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