About
Begonia 'Fairy Lights' (T) is a bushy, tuberous perennial that can reach heights of up to 70 cm. It features oval, pointed leaves and produces double flowers from summer through early autumn. Each flower showcases creamy-white petals that are flushed and edged with a pinkish-red hue.
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, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bedding
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, 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
- Plant tubers indoors in spring in light, well-drained, neutral compost. Plants may be grown permanently under glass in bright light shaded from direct sun. Otherwise plant out in moist, well-drained, fertile soil in sun or semi-shade when all risk of frost is past. Dry off tubers in winter and store frost-free. For further information see Begonias: outdoors
- Pruning
- Deadhead to prolong flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by basal cuttings or stem cuttings from side shoots
- 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