Begonia sinensis
A tuberous perennial, about 45cm in height, with asymmetric, small green crinkled leaves, paler with red veining beneath and with long, pointed tips. Nodding clusters of small pale pink flowers are produced in summer
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green Red | ||
| Autumn | Green Red | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Begoniaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Horticultural Group
- Tuberhybrida begonias are bushy tuberous perennials with glossy leaves and usually double flowers in small clusters in summer; most are dormant in winter
- Plant range
- China
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained neutral to acid soil, in dappled or afternoon shade. May need winter protection in colder regions, and can be slow to start in spring. Will not tolerate waterlogging. See begonias: outdoors for further information
Propagation
Propagate by basal softwood cuttings in spring, or by seed; plants will often self-seed, dropping tiny bulblets from the stems in late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealybugs, mites, thrips, vine weevil and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds (botrytis), powdery mildews and stem rot
Get involved
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