Begonia dregei (T) | maple leaf begonia

Dorling Kindersley 2003

Other common names

grape-leaf begonia

Synonyms

Begonia richardsiana, Begonia afra, Begonia sinuata Otto & A. Dietr., Begonia favargeri, Begonia uncinata, Begonia partita, Begonia richardsoniana, Begonia homonyma, Begonia rubicunda, Begonia parvifolia, Begonia sinuata Graham, Begonia rudatisii, Begonia natalensis, Begonia dregei var. partita

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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A tuberous-rooted begonia with tall, brittle stems to 75cm, bearing maple-like green leaves, reddish beneath and sometimes silver-spotted; flowers single, white, 1.5cm across, in late summer

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
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 & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Begoniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
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

Horticultural Classification Codes

Horticultural Classification Codes are often given to genera which have a large number of species or cultivars. They are used to categorise cultivated plants based on specific, shared characteristics such as shape, colour, size or flowering time, and can be displayed as letters or numbers

For example:
Dahlia ‘Sunset Kate (Sin) = Single flower
Rosa ‘Marigold’ (HT) = Hybrid Tea: 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: S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in light, well-drained peat-free potting compost in bright filtered light with shade from hot sun at an optimum of 19°C. Provide good ventilation and reduce humidity when flowering. Water moderately when in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser at alternative waterings. Lift tubers in autumn and store in a cool, dry, frost-free place. Replant in spring, hollow side uppermost, at 16 to 18°C. See Begonias: houseplants for further advice.

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, glasshouse thrips, vine weevil and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds, powdery mildews, stem rot and rhizome rot