Begonia boliviensis (T)

RHS Plant Profile
Bolivian begonia

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Bolivian begonia RHS
Bolivian begonia RHS
Bedding Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse

a tuberous, trailing perennial with a height and spread of about 60cm. Arching, pendulous stems bear oval, pointed, glossy "angel-wing" leaves and cascades of drooping, single, scarlet-orange flowers in summer and autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–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
Deciduous
Habit
Trailing
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
Argentina, Bolivia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant tubers indoors in spring in light, well-drained, neutral compost. May be grown permanently in pots or hanging baskets under glass in bright light shaded from direct sun. Otherwise move containers outdoors into a sunny or semi-shaded position when all risk of frost is past. Dry off tubers in winter and store frost-free. For further information see Begonias: outdoors

Propagation

Root basal or stem-tip softwood cuttings in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical

Pruning

Remove old stems and foliage as plant dies back for the winter

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