I know I have said it before, but the Begonias really have given an exceptional display this summer. The Semperflorens which are grown as half hardy annuals, and do not develop a tuber have been exceptional, also outstanding have been the Non Stops, the tubers of these ones will be stored for next year. The Red Flamboyants of which I continually sing praise of have never been better, in spite of the fact that we are still using the same tubers which we purchased ten years ago. The very decorative ones including the trailing varieties have also done as well as all the rest, despite losing a good few of these to the dreaded vine weevil whilst storing over winter.
Of the more decorative ones, check out this one called firecracker, a real show stopper, with shades of red, orange apricot and yellow.
Do you also find it difficult knowing just when to remove your bedding plants. If like us you plant out spring bedding to follow on from your summer display, and also not to leave a completely bare looking garden over the winter.
Very often, even come mid September the summer bedding can still be looking good enough for another couple of weeks, however if you want those wallflower, pansies, and forget me nots to get a good hold, it really is best to get the job done by the middle of September.
Begonias which you will be storing , don’t be tempted to snap off the stems too soon. Lift them carefully ,place them in pots and remove the stems when they are ready to come away with little effort. When the tubers have completely dried off, wrap them in newspaper and store them over winter, we find the loft is ideal for this.
Begonia Firecracker
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