#Wax begonia shade or sun full#
#Wax begonia shade or sun plus#

Why choose these over the standard smaller wax begonia? Versatility. Everything on these begonias is bigger- leaves, flowers and overall height. Both of these varieties share the designation of being 50 mile-per-hour plants, which means they are eye-catching when viewed from a vehicle driving 50 MPH… pretty amazing! While regular wax begonias grow to 10 inches or so, these hybrids can reach up to 20-34 inches in height. ‘Whopper’ and ‘Big’ are readily available here during the spring season. Think of them as wax begonias on steroids. Hybrid Wax Begoniaīegonia benariensis are hybrid wax begonias. You can find these bedding plants here in 6 pack flats, making them a low cost option for spring color plantings. Grown in pots, or in landscape beds, these begonias bloom all summer providing lots of color, especially when grown en masse.

Wax begonias are easy care, warm season annuals that bloom from spring to fall.

#Wax begonia shade or sun full#

In full sun, these bronze leaves turn brilliantly red. Others with bronze leaves can be grown in 1/2 day sun or more. Some of them have green leaves, and here in Little Rock they do best in afternoon shade. They are commonly called wax begonias and they have many different varieties such as ‘Prelude’, ‘Encore’ and ‘Cocktail’. Wax Begoniaīegonia semperflorens are probably one of the most popular of all the Begonias. This post and the personal growing notes included were provided by Jen M., our perennial grower. As we approach the spring planting season, we thought you might want to learn more about these versatile, eye-catching and easy to grow plants. Prune off the ugly tops and continue to feed and water to obtain renewed growth and many more flowers.Begonias are one of our most popular plants and there are so many to choose from! Each has unique characteristic and therefore, different purposes in the landscape (or home). Home plantings, however, can be rejuvenated to extend the display. After many months of display life, begonia flowering decreases, brown seed heads form and the plants grow tall and lanky.Ĭommercial plantings are usually removed and replaced with other annuals. Once begonias develop an extensive root system they need the drier soils, he said. Then reduce as needed when the soil begins to dry. Higbie recommends keeping the soil moist during the establishment period of three to four weeks. Give the plantings a little room to grow, allowing 8 to 12 inches between begonias. Similar size begonias and economical market packets with up to six smaller plants ready to set in pots or flower beds are available from local garden centers. A one-time application of 4 to 5 pounds per 100 square feet of bed will feed the begonias until summer.Įpcot beds are established from 4-inch pot plants already in full bloom. Gardeners who would like to skip the constant care can fertilize with Osmocote, a slow-release product.

Supplemental feedings must then follow monthly to keep the plants growing. A traditional feeding of a 1- pound scattering of 6-6-6 per 100 square feet of bed will provide needed nutrients for four to six weeks. Also check the soil pH and adjust the acidity to around 6.5.īefore planting, fertilize the flower bed.

Enrich sandy soils with peat moss or compost. He said plantings must be established before summer to withstand the intense heat.īegonias need a well-drained soil. Plantings begin when the spring weather arrives to obtain the many months of color, said Dennis Higbie, manager of Epcot landscaping.

#Wax begonia shade or sun plus#

Visitors to Disney’s Epcot Center will be treated to ever blooming begonia beds plus topiaries featuring both foliage and flowers. Spring plantings will last at least until June and many will grow through the summer for a fall display, Hicks said.

Plantings survive in full sun to light shade and like the drier soils. Hicks attributes the Central Florida begonia popularity to its ability to flourish under varying landscape conditions. Marketing to area landscapers and local attractions, Hicks produces three times more begonias than any other annual flower. “Begonias are a major percentage of sales. Locally, wax begonias may enjoy greater popularity, said Bob Hicks owner of Bloom Master a Lake Mary bedding plant nursery.