Begonia Plants

With over 1,500 species, begonia blooms will offer you an amazing number of varieties to light up your garden. Begonia is a genus in the flowering plant family Begoniaceae, and all species under this genus are known as begonia. Its flowers are very popular spring flowers as they come in some dazzling to soothing colors. The flowers can be large or small, with single or double petals, male and female flowers borne on single plants and the foliage of some types are highly valued for their ornamental value. The plants can be shrubby or trailing, which makes them perfect for pots and containers, as well as flower beds, edgings and borders.

Types of Begonia

This plant species is divided broadly into different categories, with each type having distinct root systems, stems, foliage and flowers.

Canes: This type has the most spectacular flower show and the maximum number of colors too. The variety in it can have very large leaves; up to 14 inches. The flowers are borne in large clusters and do quite well as both indoor and outdoor plants.

Shrubs: The multi-stemmed, shrub variety is grown for its ease of growing, beautifully shaped green leaves and quick growth. Some within this variety bear small white, pink or red flowers. The shrubs can be miniatures or nearly ten feet tall.

Scandent: This is a trailer variety, with some having the ability to climb upwards like a creeper. The trailers bear large flowers in smaller clusters. Their roots tend to hold on to trees, rocks and walls for support as they climb or trail.

Thick Stemmed: Not a very popular species among the begonia genus, these thick stemmed varieties don't branch much but shoot up new growth from the base. The leaves tend to shed, making this variety an unusual plant to have. New hybrids have stems that range in colors of green to a brown to even a cream.

Rex: Rex begonia are grown more for their foliage that comes in different shapes, sizes, patterns and vivid colors. It does bear flowers but they are quite inconsequential. The foliage needs lots of care as temperature and other environmental conditions can dampen their foliage show.

Tuberous: The tuberous variety is very popular as they can be started each season with ease and the availability too is not an issue. Some in this type are grown for their small to large flowers, while some for foliage. The tuberous variety can be of a trailing type or sturdy upright plants.

Semperfloren: Widely grown, Semperfloren can be treated as annuals as well as perennial shrubs. The leaves come in colors of green bronze and in some variegated variety, white. The flowers too come in shades and hues of red and pink, and white.

Rhizomatous: Rhizomatous begonia offer an endless variety of leaf shape, color and texture, with a huge flower display that in some varieties bloom only in the spring, while some bloom all yearlong. Their rhizomes do not go deep in the ground, but spread along it.

If you are wondering how to care for this plant, just leaf through begonia care. With so many options it should not be difficult to plant an entire garden based on begonia varieties.