Yellow Begonia pendula Tuberhybrida

The Begonia pendula Yellow, with its flexible stems adorned with beautiful mostly double flowers, forms particularly bright little cascades in hanging baskets and planters. This variety is perfect for bringing life to semi-shaded areas of the terrace, as well as a well-maintained flower bed planted in groups. Begonias are easy to grow everywhere, but the further south you go, the more necessary it will be to protect them from the scorching sun.

The Yellow Pendula Begonia belongs to the Begoniaceae family, it is part of the tuberous hybrid begonias whose parents mainly come from Andean tropical forests. It is a cultivar with a trailing habit, reaching a height of approximately 25-30cm (10-12in) at maturity. Its deciduous foliage is composed of glossy, alternate leaves with very finely cut edges, dark green in colour and marked by visible veins. The laminae are always asymmetrical and the petioles have stipules at their base. The stems of this begonia are thick, fleshy, and brittle. Its male flowers are single, cup-shaped with 4 yellow petals, while its female flowers are larger, well-double, and 4-5cm (1.5 and 2in) wide, composed of crepe-like pleated petals, of a pure and vivid yellow. They hang from long orange petioles that emerge from the axils of the leaves. After flowering, which lasts from June to October without interruption, the plant enters dormancy. The tubers will be cultivated like those of Dahlias.

Begonias are unrivalled in bringing colour to shaded areas. They are also at ease in well-maintained flower beds, in the company of lighter flowers such as lobelias or forget-me-nots, whether cultivated in pots on the terrace or in hanging baskets. This pendula variety will be perfectly highlighted by the silver foliage of Dichondra 'Silver Falls', the tiny white flowers of 'Diamond Frost' euphorbia, in large pots in the winter garden or veranda. Finally, it is good to know that there are hardy begonias, such as Begonia grandis.