Most begonias wont survive freezing winters, but indoor plants can live for years.
Are begonias perennials or annuals?
Its not a simple question because theyre such a widely diverse group of plants.
Credit:BHG / Jiaqi Zhou
Somebegoniasare right at home in sunny porch pots.
Some members of the begonia family are demanding and particular.
Plants that survive winter in the landscape, blooming andgrowing again each year, are perennials.
Credit: Denny Schrock
However, if youbrought frost-tender begonias indoors, they would continue to grow, so they arent technically annuals.
Annual plants naturally die after growing for a year or less.
Unfortunately, gardeners in Zones 5 and colder dont have a perennial begonia option that will survive outdoors.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Hardy begonia cant survive the cold winter temperatures in these areas.
Grow hardy begonias in part to full shade.
Unlike many plants, they can grow in deep shade but will produce fewer flowers.
Fill the hole with water.
Once it drains, refill it with water and wait for it to drain again.
The level should drop about an inch per hour in soil with good drainage.
Once established, hardy begonia is aperennial that will tolerate some drought, but it grows best when well-watered.
It spreads by forming tiny bulblets on the tips of its stems in fall.
The bulblets drop to the ground and grow into new plants the following spring.
What to Plant with Hardy Begonias
Pair hardy begonias withspring-blooming bulbs.
One of the latest plants to emerge in spring, hardy begonia appears well after bulbs finish blooming.
Shrubs that tolerate shade, such as azalea andrhododendron, are good planting partners for hardy begonias.
These shrubs require little care other thanwatering during dry spells.
They provide lush foliage and instant color from late spring until fall.
In areas where it freezes, these plants dieonce cold weather sets in.
Maximize your enjoyment of these colorful plants with these essential growing tips.
Water Consistently
Allow the soil surface to dry to the touch between waterings.
If the soil feels dry, water the plants deeply.
Otherwise, check again the next day.
Begonias growing in shadeneed less frequent wateringthan those growing in full sun.
Pay Attention to Sun or Shade Preference
Enjoybegonias in sun or shade.
For decades, begonias were primarily shade plants.
Plant breeders have recently developed new varieties of hybrid and wax begonias that can tolerate direct sun.
Check plant tags before buying to verify youre selecting the best types of begonias for your light conditions.
Add Slow-Release Fertilizer
5.
Extend the Season
Begonias are sensitive to cold temperatures; near-freezing temperatures turn begonia foliage black.
Cover the plants to prevent early cold spells from cutting the bloom season short.
Early fall blasts of cold are often followed by a stretch of warm days.
A little effortprotecting plantswill likely extend the growing season a week or two.
