Trailing begonia Splendide Apricot - Begonia × tuberhybrida

Begonia Splendide Apricot is a trailing tuberous begonia with generous double flowers in a palette of apricot, peach and salmon tones. Its 10 to 15 cm diameter corollas form delightful, softly coloured cascades throughout the summer. Placed in a pot, hanging basket, or window box, it decorates the shaded corners of the patio, balcony, or garden.

Belonging to the Begoniaceae family, this Splendide Apricot cultivar is classified in the group of tuberous begonias (Begonia × tuberhybrida), and also the trailing tuberous begonias (Pendula group). These are horticultural hybrids derived from several Andean species such as B. boliviensis, B. veitchii, or B. pearcei. Splendide refers to a series of cultivars with large double flowers in pastel colours (Splendide 'Alifra', ‘Ice Maiden’, ‘Ballerina’), of which ‘Apricot’ is the apricot variation.
The plant forms a dome 25 to 35 cm in height, with a slightly trailing to distinctly cascading habit, depending on the container size. The fleshy stems bear medium to dark green, slightly toothed leaves, which form a setting for its very full, double flowers, combining peachy salmon and apricot tones. Plant the tubers in spring, at a shallow depth, in a humus-bearing, light, rich and well-drained substrate, kept moist but not waterlogged. This begonia is not frost-hardy; treat it as a perennial only in very mild climates. Elsewhere, its tubers must be overwintered dry and protected from frost to be replanted the following year.

Plant Begonia Splendide 'Apricot' in a hanging basket or wide bowl, avoiding the scorching afternoon sun. You can pair it with other Pendula begonias from the Splendide series, but also with Trailing Begonia 'Chardonnay' for a harmonious colour scheme and with Trailing Begonia Summerwings White Elegance, which is covered in white stars with a champagne reverse. In a planter, combine it with a trailing fuchsia 'Bella Laura', which will flower until October.

The genus name Begonia pays tribute to Michel Bégon (1638-1710), intendant of Saint-Domingue and patron of the botanist Plumier. The rise of tuberous begonias in Europe was built in the 19th century from Andean species introduced by the Veitch and Lemoine nurseries; these cultivars popularised balcony begonias throughout the northern hemisphere.