Overview

Begonia 'Boston Cherries 'n Chocolate' (Great American Cities Series) (R) is a bushy conservatory greenhouse in the genus Begonia, part of the Begoniaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Begonia 'Boston Cherries 'n Chocolate' (Great American Cities Series) (R) 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 'Boston Cherries 'n Chocolate' (Great American Cities Series) is a conservatory and houseplant selection in the Begoniaceae with a well-branched, rounded habit and deciduous leaves. It suits a protected position in partial shade and prefers neutral loam kept moist but well-drained. The plant is tender (H1c) so it should be kept frost-free in winter. Expect flowers from June to October when grown in a bright, sheltered spot.

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

In the garden

Begonia 'Boston Cherries 'n Chocolate' (Great American Cities Series) is a cultivated Begonia intended for glasshouse or indoor display and for summer containers. As a named selection it is treated as a conservatory/greenhouse or houseplant rather than a garden perennial in the UK. Its foliage is deciduous and the plants form a well-branched, rounded habit suited to pots and sheltered beds. Place this begonia where it receives partial shade on a north, east or west-facing aspect and away from strong winds; exposure should be sheltered. Use a loam-based growing medium at neutral pH and keep it consistently moist but not waterlogged—drainage is essential. As a tender plant (H1c), keep it frost-free through winter by moving containers indoors or housing plants in a heated or unheated conservatory. It works well in city and courtyard gardens, in patio containers, informal cottage borders and mixed beds where sheltered colour is needed. When kept in a bright, protected position the plant will carry its flowering season from June to October, making it a good choice for summer and early-autumn display in protected urban settings.

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 'Boston Cherries 'n Chocolate' (Great American Cities Series) (R) size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Deciduous

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 'Boston Cherries 'n Chocolate' (Great American Cities Series) (R)

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

Frequently asked questions

More in the Begonia genus

• 
  Begonia 'Blitz'
• 
  Begonia 'Cascade Florence' (T/d)
• 
  Begonia 'Comtesse Louise Erdõdy' (R)
• 
  Begonia 'Otto Foster'
• 
  Begonia 'Phil Ormes'
• 
  Begonia 'Sparkle'
• 
  Begonia coccinea (C)angelwing begonia
• 
  Begonia cubensisCuban holly