Begonia 'Escargot' (R)
begonia 'Escargot'
Has striking foliage with a very pronounced single spiral that's accentuated by the spiralling olive-green and silvery-green colours; the leaf surface is lightly covered with pink hairs that are more noticeable at the edge, and the leaf stalk is densely covered in red hairs
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Red | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Winter | Red | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Begoniaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Begonia can be annuals, evergreen or deciduous perennials or shrubs, with fibrous, tuberous or rhizomatous roots and usually asymmetrical leaves, often strikingly patterned, and small or large flowers, both male and female in the same cluster
- Name status
Accepted
- Horticultural Group
- Rex begonias are evergreen, rhizomatous perennials grown for their handsome, brightly coloured leaves, rather than the small pale pink or white flowers which may appear in spring, summer or autumn
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass, in indirect light, or in frost-free environment. Mainly grown for foliage. See Begonias: houseplants for further advice.
Propagation
Cultivars should be propagated by leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealybugs, tarsonemid mite, thrips, vine weevil and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds, powdery mildews, stem rot and rhizome rot
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.