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Bedding

Begonia Semperflorens Cultorum Group (S)

wax plant

Semperflorens Cultorum Group are fibrous-rooted, tender perennials grown as annuals, with fleshy, rounded, green or bronze leaves, and sprays of single or double, red, pink or white flowers from mid-summer into autumn

Other common names

bedding begonia
wax begonia

Synonyms

Begonia × carrierei
Begonia
see moreBegonia × semperflorens-cultorum hort.
Begonia semperflorens hort.

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1C

Botanical details

Family: Begoniaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
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: Semperflorens-Cultorum begonias are fibrous-rooted evergreen perennials, much used for summer bedding, with rounded, often attractively coloured leaves, and sprays of single or double flowers 1-2.5cm across in summer or throughout the year

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to slightly acid soil in partial shade. See Begonias: outdoors for further advice.

Propagation

Propagate by seed, stem, tip or leaf cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, glasshouse thrips, vine weevil and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds, powdery mildews, stem rot and rhizome rot

Get involved

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