About
Begonia 'Black Raspberry' is a perennial plant characterized by its evergreen, rhizomatous growth habit. The leaves are a deep reddish-purple, shaped like hearts with a textured surface, featuring fine white hairs on both the upper and lower sides as well as along the stems. It produces clusters of simple, pale pink flowers that rise above the foliage and may bloom throughout the year.
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
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- 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
- Grow in light, well-drained, peat-free, acid to neutral potting compost. Place in filtered light with shade from hot sun at an optimum of 15C to 22C, with high humidity. Will not tolerate continuous direct sunlight or waterlogging. Water moderately when in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser at alternative waterings. See begonia cultivation - indoors for further information
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by leaf cuttings or sections of rhizome
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to caterpillars, mealy bugs, mites, glasshouse thrips, vine weevil and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey mould, powdery mildews, stem rot and rhizome rot