Begonia boliviensis 'Firecracker'

RHS Plant Profile

Bolivian begonia 'Firecracker'

John Fielding

Bedding Conservatory Greenhouse

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A trailing, tuberous perennial to 50cm tall, with pointed, toothed leaves to 13cm long on succulent, arching stems. Throughout summer it produces slender orange flowers to 5cm long, held in pendant clusters

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

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

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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: Pendulous weeping
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

In spring plant tubers, hollow side uppermost, in free-draining compost at 16-18°C. Plant out after the last frosts in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Lift the tubers in autumn before the first frosts and dry off. See begonias: outdoors for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed, basal cuttings, or stem cuttings of sideshoots

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Hanging Basket
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse

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