Begonia acetosa — Bushy

Overview

Begonia acetosa is a bushy conservatory greenhouse in the genus Begonia, part of the Begoniaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1 metres tall. Begonia acetosa grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1c. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, patio and container plants, cottage and informal garden and flower borders and beds.

About

Begonia acetosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to southeastern Brazil. It is used to create new begonia hybrids due to its attractive foliage. Begonia acetosa has been cultivated in the United States since 1946, when Mulford B. Foster introduced the species from forested mountains near Rio de Janeiro. Begonia acetosa is an herbaceous, creeping, rhizomatous begonia, growing up to 1 m (3 ft) tall. Grow it in partial shade and loam soil. In UK gardens it needs a warm, frost-free position in the UK (RHS H1c). It works well for city and courtyard gardens, patio and container plants, cottage and informal garden and flower borders and beds. It tolerates neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and north-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Begonia acetosa

About the genus

Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. The genus contains more than 2,000 different plant species, distributed primarily across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, with Africa considered the center of origin. Some species are commonly grown indoors as ornamental houseplants in cooler climates, or cultivated outside in summertime for their bright colorful flowers, which have petals but no sepals.

Wikipedia contributors, "Begonia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Begonia

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Begonia

Sunlight: Partial shade
Soil type: Loam
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Aspect: North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H1c

Plant details

Begonia acetosa size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
Habit: Bushy
Foliage: Deciduous
Height: 1 metres
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Begonia acetosa

Propagation: Seed, stem, tip or leaf cuttings
Pest resistance: Caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, glasshouse thrips, vine weevil, aphids
Disease resistance: Grey moulds, powdery mildews, stem rot, rhizome rot