Susan Harris's blog about eco-friendly and urban gardening, plus the adventures of a DC-based garden writer, coach and occasional rabble-rowser.

The hardy begonia is one fabulous, no-care plant

September 15, 2009 · 12 comments

I know, I’m always ranting about plants being called "no-care" that most certainly are NOT, but really I do absolutely nothing for this plant except pick up the wilted stems after the first frost. That’s it.

Then the next year in early summer they reappear and in greater number because they’re happy seeders. Hardy begonias are fine with any amount of sun or none at all, though I imagine if they’re sitting in the blaring afternoon sun they DO need watering. These get just moments of direct sunlight. Happy Garden Blogger Bloom Day.

{ 12 comments }

1 Darla September 15, 2009 at 10:35 am: Just beautiful…I wonder how they would do here in north Florida?
2 Town Mouse September 15, 2009 at 10:47 am: Happy bloom day Susan! Yes, I agree about the no-care label. If you want no-care, use plastic flowers ;->

(Watering counts as care, so hardy begonias are out)
3 Helen at Toronto Gardens September 15, 2009 at 1:50 pm: All (hardy) things being relative, they certainly look lovely in your garden.
4 Mary Delle September 15, 2009 at 2:50 pm: Hardy begonias I love. Some of them can handle a variety of conditions and not complain. Great shot.
5 Kylee from Our Little Acre September 15, 2009 at 10:40 pm: So lovely, Susan! If only they were hardy here. *sigh*
6 Marie September 16, 2009 at 6:49 am: Great begonia. I don’t think it would be hardy in my zone 6 garden so I appreciate seeing it in yours. A sigh from me too.
7 Layanee September 16, 2009 at 8:37 am: I saw them used to great effect this past weekend and will try them next year. They are rated to Zone 6 but I am a bit colder than that so it will be an experiment.
8 Gail September 18, 2009 at 11:12 am: I love this plant and the icing on the easy care cake is how fantastic a swath of them look when back lit! …and, Yes it is hardy in a zone 6 garden. Nashville used to be zone 6! gail
9 Wen September 18, 2009 at 12:19 pm: You’re right. Mine have been coming up in the same area (along a fence, under climbing roses) since a neighbor gave me a couple plants 30+ years ago. They always look great.
10 Chris M. September 24, 2009 at 11:47 am: I think they’re even deer resistant. I know this doesn’t apply to urban gardeners but for me it’s the first thing to consider. I love this plant!
Thanks, Susan.
11 Neely September 26, 2009 at 7:21 am: I love this plant! I bought it for the amazing color of the leaves when you look underneath. I’m in zone 6 too but just planted them this summer. Guess I’ll find out if they are hardy here. I’ve noticed my neighbors have some with white flowers. Would love to get some of those too.
12 Irish Garden October 7, 2009 at 1:26 am: My step-mother from Holland bring me a lot of seeds such as hermskerk and this begonia. I just wonder why these plant can’t grow properly in my garden.