Rex Begonias: The Perfect Tropical Shade Plant
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Rex begonia 'Marion Louise' makes a stunning container plant. |
By Jenny Peterson
I have to admit, I'm not a huge begonia fan. Sure, the angelwing begonias are pretty fantastic, but until the other day, I would have said those were the exception to my "no begonia" rule. That's when I stumbled across rex begonias in a greenhouse. The colors! The variations! The leaf shapes! Consider me in love. They are kind of like coleus on steroids, and if you have a great shady spot in your garden or a dappled container to showcase them, you're in luck!
These plants grow in a mounding habit up to 18 inches high, and the leaves can range up to 9 inches long and 5 inches wide, making them perfect for small combinations or stunning as container plants. Here are the rex begonia basics to get you going:
Choose the right spot.
Rex begonias do well in pots where you can control the care. Or find a shady spot in the garden that has rich, aerated soil and is slightly humid.
Provide the right care.
While you should provide rich soil and consistent water, avoid overwatering or overfertilizing your plants. Highly concentrated fertilizers can burn the foliage, while prolonged soggy conditions will surely lead to rot. They're also frost tender, so consider them annuals or houseplants.
Pick your variety.
Now you can have fun! You'll be amazed at the incredible leaf colors. Love red? Try 'Cranberry Shimmer'. How about pink and burgundy? Consider 'Raspberry Crush". If you love metallics, there's 'Marion Louise', and lovers of green and white will go nutty over 'Prince of Hanover'.
Make a gorgeous combination.
Start with the 'Cranberry Shimmer' begonia, add red impatiens, and finish off with bright green creeping Jenny (Lysimachia rummularia), or take a 'Marion Louis' and combine it with pink impatiens and silver ponyfoot (Dichondra argentea). The chocolate and golden hues of 'Marmaduke' will look spectacular with golden sedge (Carex elata), rusty-colored impatiens, and 'Sedona' coleus.
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