About

Begonia 'Apricot Shades Improved' is a delicate, trailing perennial typically cultivated as an annual. It features mid-green, pointed foliage and produces both double and single blooms in hues of yellow and orange from mid-summer through autumn.

About the genus

Begonias can be found as annuals, evergreen or deciduous perennials, or shrubs. They possess fibrous, tuberous, or rhizomatous root systems. The leaves are typically asymmetrical and frequently feature distinctive patterns. Flowers can vary in size and include both male and female forms within the same cluster.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Loam
Soil pH
Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, North-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H1B

Plant details

Plant type
Bedding, Annual Biennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
Habit
Trailing
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
1-2 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical, Patio and container plants
Toxicity
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

Care notes

Cultivation
Start off 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 outdoors into a sunny or semi-shaded position when all risk of frost is past. See Begonias: outdoors for further advice.
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Root basal or stem-tip softwood cuttings in spring or summer
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, glasshouse thrips, vine weevil and aphids
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to grey moulds, powdery mildews, stem rot and rhizome rot