Trailing begonia Scarlet Cascade - Begonia pendula

Begonia ‘Scarlet Cascade’ is a trailing tuberous begonia perfectly suited for hanging baskets. Its gracefully arching stems bear highly visible double scarlet flowers all summer long. It can be used alone for a "cascading" effect or mixed with other trailing plants. Start its cultivation in warmth, then place it on the terrace or balcony after the last frosts.

A member of the Begoniaceae family, this cultivar is listed under the name Begonia (Pendula Group) ‘Scarlet Cascade’ (Cascade series). It belongs to the horticultural Pendula Group and the Cascade series. Cultivated tuberous begonias originate from historical hybridisations between Andean species such as Begonia boliviensis and B. davisii.
The plant develops from a flattened tuber, which serves as a storage organ. This produces fleshy, brittle, green to reddish stems in spring, with a very distinctly trailing habit. The foliage reaches about 20 cm in height and 30 cm in width, with stems able to overflow by 40 to 90 cm in a hanging basket, depending on the tuber size and substrate volume. The foliage consists of glossy, medium to olive green, asymmetrical leaves with finely toothed edges, somewhat fleshy. The flowering renews itself from July to October: pendulous inflorescences bear scarlet, double and single flowers measuring 6 to 8 cm.
The plant enters dormancy in autumn, as soon as the foliage yellows; the tuber must be kept dry at 8–10 °C throughout the winter.

Plant ‘Scarlet Cascade’ in a hanging basket, urn, or large planter, in partial shade, sheltered from wind and driving rain. Pair it with light-coloured foliage and flowers, for example with Begonia Pendula ‘White Cascade’, semi-trailing Fuchsia 'Swingtime' and the small variegated ivy 'Little Diamond'.

The introduction of trailing Andean species in the 19th century gave rise to modern balcony begonias; the Cascade series was selected for its particularly long and regular stems and its bold colours.