Begonia annulata

RHS Plant Profile

leaf-ring begonia

Synonyms

Begonia griffithii
Begonia picta A. DC.

Herbaceous Perennial Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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A rhizomatous perennial, to around 30cm high, with an upright habit and roughly hairy stems and leaves. Leaves are asymmetric, to 15cm long and dark green with a silver band, with wavy edges and reddish undersides. Flowers are white to pale pink, borne in small loose clusters from the leaf axils, and can be produced from late winter to early summer

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam

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

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: 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, Columnar upright
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, open, well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic potting compost, in bright indirect light, at an optimum temperature of 15-20ºC, and with moderate humidity. Water moderately when in growth, with balanced liquid fertilizer at alternate waterings, and sparingly in winter: immerse the container in water and allow the water to drain, to minimize the risk of rhizome rot. Pot on annually in spring. For more advice, see begonias: houseplants

Propagation

Propagate by basal softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

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 and rhizome rot