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    AGM plants have been through a rigorous trial and assessment programme. They are:

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Begonia rex (R)

king begonia

Sold by 2 nurseries

  • Other common names king begonia
    fan plant

    painted-leaf begonia

    see more

  • Family Begoniaceae

  • Genus Begonia can be annuals, evergreen or deciduous perennials or shrubs, with fibrous, tuberous or rhizomatous roots and usually asymmetrical leaves, often strikingly patterned, and small or large flowers, both male and female in the same cluster

  • Horticultural Group Rex begonias are evergreen, rhizomatous perennials grown for their handsome, brightly coloured leaves, rather than the small pale pink or white flowers which may appear in spring, summer or autumn

  • Details R. rex is an evergreen perennial to 30cm, with large, obliquely ovate leaves which are metallic green with a silvery zone on the upper surface, reddish beneath; panicles of small pink flowers in winter

  • Plant range Assam

Characteristics

  • Foliage Evergreen

  • Habit Clump-forming

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H1B

Colour

Sunlight

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect South-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Sheltered

Soil

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • Loam

    Loam

  • Sand

    Sand

  • MoistureWell-drained

  • SoilChalk, Loam, Sand

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 0.1-0.5 metres

  • Ultimate spread 0.1-0.5 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 2-5 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grow under glass or in frost-free enviroment. Mainly grown for foliage. See Begonias: houseplants for further advice.

Propagation Propagate by seed, leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome

Suggested planting locations and garden types Sub-tropical Patio & Container Plants

How to care

Pruning No pruning required

Pests Can get caterpillars, mealybugs, tarsonemid mite, thrips, vine weevil and aphids

Diseases May be infected by powdery mildews

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