obviously I know little about either.
But have a small collection of begonias i am potting as house plants - for the winter at least.
And I found a bergenia on sale - cheap!
could I plant a couple of begonias in with the bergenias as a potted plant arrangement??
Or do bergenias need to be in the ground - out doors -
Tryin to do right.
Bergenias are NOT Begonias are they??
They are two different groups of plants. I suppose you could plant them together as long as they have the same needs but one might take over the pot crowding out the other.
Bergenias are hardy to zone 4 while for the most part begonias are semi-tropical to tropical.
Bergenia will not be happy in a heated space during the winter.
You could try your combo idea for the summer outside and then seperate them in the fall?
This is a begonia I saw growing in coastal CA>
thank you both!
update - for $2. I got a huge bergenia that easily split into three parts. Using a very wide saucer shape, one bergenia will be planted with small mini hostas and an burgundy color huechera.
Hosta 'Toy Soldier' will be guarding the arrangement.
During winter months - Ill probably keep on screened in back porch for all to get the chill but some protection also.. Ive a Pandoras Box in with them - and certainly dont want that baby to get FROZED!
think that will work??
You will find out next spring if it was successful.....
I am out of begonia photos, how about a Hebe>
Here you go - begonia picture a couple of days ago.
I like the color red.
hcmcdole, that is one gorgeous begonia photo! What is the name of that one and how tall does it get? I worked at a once famouse begonia/fuchsia/fern nursery for over a decade and the stock houses for the cane begonias were just stunning when they were all bloom! Most of them were taller than me! We would put the really big ones out in the retail yard and surround them with hundreds of little 2' starts. People would gobble the little ones up. Right now, all I have is a Silver Mist and a Tom Ment. They are both enjoying the warm weather outdoors for the moment.
I am not sure what that begonia is - the closest I can come to it from looking at pictures on line is 'Mary Ann Flunker'. I bought this at a Mom and Pop nursery on one of the keys coming back from Key West 7 years ago. This one gets about 2 feet tall.
Silvermist is a great begonia. Tom Ment is a nice small cane too.
Here is Silvermist from last year where it was in a very shady spot. Never bloomed last year but the foliage was stunning. It has recently begun to bloom this year but the foliage is not as striking in sunnier conditions.
hcmcdole - The polka-dot begonia is stunning! What a beauty!!!!
Thanks daylily_lady.
Here is a large pot of new begonias from the convention this year. The canes are maculata - the species big polka dot begonia has been blooming for the last few weeks, 'Encanto Bronze' with huge leaves and pink blooms, and 'Mrs. Hashimoto' has a cascading habit due to the excess white blooms. 'Morocco' is in there too (not much in this picture) but has tiny white blooms.
This message was edited Sep 18, 2009 6:39 AM
hcmcdole - You never cease to amaze me! I can just imagine what your basement looks like when you move them all in.
I have been going to ask you a question, but hesitate to do so, because it will REALLY show how dumb I am when it comes to begonias. I know the tuberous begonias and the wax begonias, but what exactly is the differences between the rex begonias and the rhizomatous. begonias?
Rex are rhizomatous too but have the original rex Putzey somewhere in its lineage. Whereas most rhizomatous will keep most of their leaves through winter, rexes usually drop all of theirs and go into a semi-dormant state needing some water but not a lot. Of course there are a lot of exceptions to this. Rexes are susceptible to mildew problems too. I think that is why so many folks eschew the rex begonia but if you love vibrant colors then surely you can find a spot for a rex or two?
Here is an exciting begonia - 'Deco Twirl'
I have no luck with rexes through the winter. I don't know if the greenhouse is too cold at 62, or they just don't like the conditions. I'm trying a new program of Milstop and Cease this winter to control powdery mildew. Perhaps that will help the rexes and keep the more tempermental canes alive.