Begonia 'Maphil' — Bushy

Overview

Begonia 'Maphil' is a bushy conservatory greenhouse in the genus Begonia, part of the Begoniaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Begonia 'Maphil' 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 'Maphil' is a conservatory and greenhouse begonia grown as a houseplant that flowers from June to October. It forms a well-branched, rounded habit with deciduous foliage. It prefers partial shade in neutral loam kept moist but well-drained and suits north-, east- or west-facing, sheltered positions. Rated H1c (tender), it is best kept frost-free indoors or in a heated glasshouse over winter.

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 'Maphil' is a cultivar within the large Begonia genus, a group commonly grown under glass or as seasonal patio specimens in the UK. As a conservatory and houseplant type, it produces a summer display of flowers between June and October and carries deciduous leaves on a compact, well-branched structure. Position the plant where it receives partial shade; north-, east- or west-facing windows and sheltered glasshouse benches suit it well. Use a loam-based compost at neutral pH and keep the root medium consistently moist but free-draining; avoid waterlogging. The H1c rating means Begonia 'Maphil' is tender and should be kept frost-free—either inside a heated glasshouse or as a moved-in houseplant through the cold months. In urban and courtyard settings the cultivar works well in pots and containers on patios, and it can be used for summer displays in cottage or informal beds where a sheltered spot is available. Treat it as a container subject: regular checks of soil moisture and removing spent flower stems will help maintain bloom quality through to October.

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 'Maphil' 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 'Maphil'

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