PLANT LIBRARY

Other Names:  Semperflorens, Fibrous

Group/Class:  Wax Begonia

Brand:  Benary

Description:

A beautiful, large variety featuring vibrant red flower clusters, nestled among green-bronze leaves; larger than other varieties, this selection will fill out any hanging basket, patio container and garden landscapes; low maintenance and long blooming

Ornamental Features

Big® DeLuXXE Red Bronze Leaf Begonia features dainty clusters of red orchid-like flowers with yellow throats at the ends of the stems from mid spring to mid fall. Its attractive glossy heart-shaped leaves remain dark green in color with hints of coppery-bronze throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Big® DeLuXXE Red Bronze Leaf Begonia is an herbaceous annual with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects
• Disease

Big® DeLuXXE Red Bronze Leaf Begonia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting
• Hanging Baskets

Planting & Growing

Big® DeLuXXE Red Bronze Leaf Begonia will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 16 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. This annual will normally live for one full growing season, needing replacement the following year.

This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. However, you may want to keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Big® DeLuXXE Red Bronze Leaf Begonia is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.