Begonias

For me, no shade garden would be complete without a begonia or two. These plants appreciate being tucked away from direct sunlight, which can burn their trademark leaves. My personal favorite is the dragon wing begonia, a hybrid of the wax and angel wing varieties. With the glossy, waxy leaves of the wax begonia, and the canelike draping stems of the angel wing, dragon wing begonias are a perfect combination of the best of both parents. The resulting plants have a dense, bushy growth habit and large leaves of dense green. Their pink or red flowers atop slender stalks are gorgeous.

Plants are easy care, can grow up to 15” tall and 18” wide, and don’t need pruning. They will branch out and fill in your space quickly in flower beds. Indoor plant lovers prefer to grow them in containers and hanging baskets, where leaves and flower clusters will drape over the sides for a verdant, exotic look. A rich, moist, but well-draining soil will keep plants happy. Fertilizing with Osmocote every few weeks throughout the season will give profuse, vibrant blooms.

Another favorite is the Nonstop begonia. Their flowers are bold and pretty show-stoppers. There’s a large range of colors to choose from- yellow, pink, orange, apricot, and plenty others. Plants grow 8-9” tall, with a mounding form. They look lovely in containers or planted directly in the flowerbed, as long as soil drains well to prevent stems from rotting. Locate them out of the path of direct sun and fertilize monthly for the best blooming.

Perhaps the best thing about planting annuals is the freedom to try different things- varieties, color combinations- and see what works best for you and your space. All of the plants on this list are reliable, and will put on a great show until fall. And next year? Shake things up and try something new!