Begonia hatacoa 'Silver'
begonia 'Silver'
A rhizomatous perennial, to around 40cm high, with creeping rhizomes, upright stems and lance-shaped green leaves with a metallic silver sheen on the upper surface, and tints of pink on the undersides. Loose clusters of small white flowers with a hint of pink are produced, primarily in late winter and early spring, but intermittently year round when grown under glass
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White Pink | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Pink | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | White Pink | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Begoniaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic loam, with protection from hot afternoon sun. This species appreciates humidity and indirect light. For more advice see begonias: houseplants
Propagation
Propagate by root cuttings of rhizome sections in summer, or by leaf cuttings in spring or summer in a propagating case, in partial shade
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealybugs, mites, thrips, vine weevil and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds (botrytis), powdery mildews and stem 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.