Begonias offer vibrant, long-lasting color, making them a popular choice for flower beds. Known for their diverse forms, they are versatile in various landscaping designs, from brightening shaded areas to creating bold visual statements.
Why Begonias Are Ideal for Flower Beds
Begonias are ideal for flower beds due to their continuous blooming from spring until frost. They offer a wide array of colors—white, pink, red, orange, and yellow—and varied foliage in green, bronze, or burgundy. Many varieties adapt well to partial to full shade. Their low maintenance requirements also make them appealing.
Top Begonia Types for Landscaping
Several begonia types are commonly used in outdoor landscaping. Wax Begonias (Begonia semperflorens), also known as fibrous begonias, are compact plants 6 to 12 inches tall and wide. They feature waxy green or bronze foliage and continuously produce small white, pink, or red flowers, thriving in both sun and shade. These are often treated as annuals in cooler climates but can be tender perennials in warmer zones.
Tuberous Begonias (Begonia x tuberhybrida) grow from underground tubers and are known for their large, brightly colored flowers, up to 6 inches across. They come in shades of pink, yellow, orange, red, and white, often with a trailing growth habit suitable for hanging baskets. Tuberous begonias generally prefer partial shade and go dormant in winter, requiring tubers to be dug up and stored in colder regions.
Rieger Begonias (Begonia x hiemalis) are hybrids that combine traits of fibrous and tuberous begonias. While often grown as indoor plants for their winter blooms, some varieties are used outdoors, offering a range of flower colors.
Inspiring Begonia Flower Bed Designs
Mass Plantings for Bold Impact
Mass plantings of begonias create bold visual impact, especially with single-color varieties. Larger wax begonia varieties, like the ‘BIG’ series, can reach 36 inches tall. Grouping one color highlights bloom and foliage, defining garden spaces with a lush, uniform appearance.
Edging and Borders
Compact begonia varieties are ideal for defining pathways, garden bed edges, or as front borders for taller plants. Wax begonias, with their tidy, uniform growth and continuous bloom, ensure a consistent line of color. Using them in borders creates a neat, finished look, separating lawn areas from planting beds. Effective in both formal and informal garden styles.
Shade Garden Solutions
Begonias brighten shaded garden areas where many other flowering plants struggle. Their tolerance for partial to deep shade introduces vibrant color into dim corners. Combining begonias with other shade-loving plants creates a lush, varied understory. Ferns, hostas, impatiens, and coleus are suitable companions, offering contrasting textures and foliage colors that complement begonia blooms.
Container and Mixed Planters
Begonias are versatile in container plantings, including pots, hanging baskets, and mixed planters. Tuberous begonias, with their trailing growth, are effective as “spillers” in hanging baskets. Upright varieties serve as “fillers” or “thrillers” in mixed arrangements. They pair well with plants like coleus, impatiens, fuchsias, and caladiums, provided companion plants share similar light and watering needs. These portable displays can be moved to optimize light or refresh a space.
Creative Color Schemes and Companion Plants
Developing appealing color palettes with begonias enhances garden aesthetics. Monochromatic schemes, using different shades of the same color, create a cohesive look. Complementary colors, such as red and green foliage or orange and blue flowers, provide contrast. Companion plants like coleus, known for its striking foliage, offer strong textural and color contrasts. Impatiens provide additional floral color in shaded areas, while ferns and hostas contribute lush green textures.
Essential Care for Thriving Begonia Beds
Begonia cultivation begins with appropriate site selection. Most begonias thrive in partial shade, though some wax begonia varieties tolerate more sun, especially those with bronze foliage. Good drainage is important, as begonias are susceptible to root rot. For outdoor planting, wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently 50 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer to avoid cold damage.
Soil
Well-draining, rich, organic soil is ideal for begonias. If garden soil is heavy, incorporating compost or sand improves drainage and provides nutrients. When planting, space begonias about 12 inches apart in flowerbeds, or closer in containers, for air circulation and growth. The ideal soil pH for begonias is between 5.5 and 6.5.
Watering and Fertilizing
Consistent moisture is key for begonias, but avoid overwatering. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry, typically every 2-4 days for outdoor plants, and more frequently for containers. Watering at the base prevents fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Begonias benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season. Use a balanced slow-release granular fertilizer at planting or a liquid fertilizer applied monthly, especially one with higher phosphorus for blooms.
Maintenance and Pest Control
Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming and tidiness. Pinching off faded blooms directs energy to new flowers. For tuberous begonias, removing female flowers can lead to larger male blooms. Common pests like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs are managed with insecticidal soap. Fungal issues like powdery mildew and botrytis blight benefit from air circulation and fungicides. In colder climates, tuberous begonias need to be dug up after the first frost, cured, and stored over winter for replanting the following spring.