Begonia Grandiflora 8 colour mix - Large-flowered tuberous begonia mix

Begonia × tuberhybrida Grandiflora, or large double-flowered begonia, is a classic for shaded terraces and sheltered borders. This rich mix brings together 8 colours, from white and cream to yellow, orange, apricot, salmon, pink and red. The large 10 to 15 cm corollas bloom from June to October. Compact and floriferous, this begonia is easily grown in pots, planters and borders in a bright position, but without scorching sun.

A member of the Begoniaceae family, Begonia × tuberhybrida is a group of tuberous hybrids derived notably from Andean species (B. boliviensis, B. veitchii, B. pearcei…) and B. socotrana, crossed in the late 19th century by European breeders, including Veitch & Sons in England. The designation "Grandiflora" refers to the large double-flowered cultivars. Each plant forms an upright clump, or even a widely spreading one, depending on the tuber; by late summer, it measures 25 to 40 cm tall with a spread of 25 to 35 cm. Its stems are fleshy and brittle, green to reddish. They emerge from a large, flattened tuber. The leaves are asymmetrical, toothed, medium to dark green, 8 to 15 cm long, glossy and thick. In begonias, the male and female flowers are separate. "Double" forms like Grandiflora mainly show large, very full male flowers, while smaller, simpler female flowers appear on the sides.; the double corollas consist of numerous overlapping tepals. Flowering renews itself from June to October, and is continuous if spent flowers are removed. Colours in the mix: white, cream, yellow, orange, apricot, salmon, pink and red; depending on the batch, some bicolour "picotee" types may appear. The frost-sensitive tubers must be overwintered at 5/8 °C after the foliage yellows.

In large containers in partial shade, combine these Grandiflora begonias with Heuchera 'Green Spice' with marbled foliage, Fuchsia 'Annabel' with pastel flowers and Carex oshimensis 'Everest' with silvery foliage. In a sheltered border, plant them in front of astilbes or Tiarella cordifolia, for example.