Begonia is a beautiful plant native to South American forests, named after the Governor of Haiti. Thanks to the many bright colors of the flowers, the unique decorative attractiveness of the leaves and the unpretentiousness of growing, this tropical guest has become a real favorite of indoor gardeners, and some of her varieties have taken root even in the gardens.
The most beautiful varieties
In total there are over 1,500 varieties of these beautiful flowers, but only 125 of them are the most common. They are most often used for decorative purposes on balconies and window sills, in gardens and parks.
Garden varieties delight with colorful flowering in the summer and sometimes in early autumn. Indoor begonia impresses with flowers even in winter. Depending on the variety, the plant can spread along the ground, like grass, or grow in the form of shrubs or shrubs. Most often, all its existing species are combined into main groups according to the decorative attractiveness of leaves and flowers, as well as tuber and bush varieties.
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Decorative foliage
These varieties lack an aerial stem, and beautiful elongated leaves with a fringe grow directly from the root. This variety impresses with its amazing coloring of leaves: from standard green to red and silver. The presence of spots and fringes on the leaves also adds to the plant’s attractiveness.
Rex or Royal Begonia
This is one of the most striking representatives of the beautiful flowers of this group of varieties. The elongated oval leaflets with serrated edges impress with the diversity of their color - from pink to purple and violet. But even more interesting is their colorful border around the edge - a contrasting silver or green hue.
Metallica
This variety received such a resounding name for the characteristic appearance of the upper part of the leaves, which seem to be covered with a metal coating. Small leaves are painted in an olive shade and have tiny teeth along the edges, which, combined with their glossy sheen, gives the flower a particularly colorful look.
Bauer begonia or brindle
This beautiful decorative leafy begonia attracts with its original leaf color. It was for their specific spotty color, resembling a tiger skin, that it got its name. The leaves of this variety are small serrated, heart-shaped, painted dark green in color and have characteristic spots.
The unique color and pattern of the leaves on each individual plant of this species allows you to collect an amazing collection of flowers of the same variety, very different from each other. It is important to find the perfect place in the house to place the flower (neither in the shade, nor in the sun) so that the Bauer begonia leaf retains its decorative appeal and does not fade its pattern. You need to water the plant often, but do not flood it at the same time.
Mason's grade
This leafy species is found in the wilds of New Guinea in the wild. Florists appreciate this variety for a unique pattern on its leaves, which is very similar to the Maltese cross. The pattern of dark or brown color stands out contrastingly on the leaves of light green color, which in old plants can acquire a silver hue. This variety also pleases with small flowers of pastel color.
Cleopatra
This variety attracts connoisseurs of beautiful begonias with incredibly decorative leaves that resemble maple in shape. The upper part is painted in bright green or olive color, and the lower part surprises with contrasting burgundy or crimson shades. A characteristic feature of the variety is the presence of large elongated cuttings with silvery villi. The height of such a decorative bush in a pot can reach up to 30 (less often - 50 cm). Flowers of white and pink colors delight with colorful flowering in the winter.
Collar or cuff
This beautiful leafy variety impresses with large leaves of light green shades on long cuttings that are surrounded by a cuff of red villi. In winter, the plant also pleases the eye with colorful blooming of bright pink flowers.
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Bush varieties
These include begonias, representing beautiful lush bushes with many side shoots. Their stems are dense and branched, similar to bamboo. The height of the bush can reach from 10 cm to 2 m. The leaves can be of very different shapes and colors, and the flowers impress with colorful coloring and elegance. These bushes can bloom all year round.
Coral begonia
This bush variety native to the tropics of Brazil is the most popular among flower growers due to the particularly colorful color of leaves and flowers. The oblong leaflets are painted dark green above and impress with numerous silver dots. On the reverse side they are brownish red. During flowering, these beautiful begonias are especially beautiful. They delight the eye with numerous dense inflorescences with an abundance of small pink flowers.
Fuchsiform or multifoliate
This bush begonia, native to the tropics of Colombia, has highly branched stems, often reaching 1 m. The oval-shaped leaves have slightly jagged edges and impress with a glossy surface, most often painted in emerald shades. The plant is especially beautiful during the flowering period when colorful flowers resembling fuchsia appear, painted in bright red shades.
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Tuberous varieties
Looking at the flowers of these begonias, one might involuntarily think that they are close relatives of camellia, carnations or roses - such a great similarity. The heart-shaped leaves they usually painted in various shades of green. These flowers delight with the longest flowering, from May to mid-autumn.
The begonia is ampelous
Representatives of this variety are distinguished by long stems, flowing cascades and decorated with numerous bright flowers. Most often they are grown in hanging pots, creating an original floral decor on the balcony. Especially popular are varieties of this group with double flowers - “Roxana” (orange color) and “Christie” (snow-white buds).
Bolivian begonia
In this plant, shoots up to 30 cm grow rectilinearly, and then form flowing cascades in several tiers of beautiful inflorescences. "Santa Cruz Sunset" attracts the eyes with flowers of red and orange shades. "Copacabana" is a creeping plant that attracts with colorful bell-shaped flowers, usually red in color.
Bud de rose
This variety is characterized by small compact bushes, decorated with large snow-white terry flowers. Particular beauty is given to them by a beautiful pink border around the edges. The petals in the center are collected in the likeness of a rosebud, which led to their name.
Crispa Marginata
This tuber begonia in the garden is a favorite of gardeners. Beautiful bushes with green leaves with a purple border can be grown both on a flower bed and in a pot in the house. During flowering, this variety pleases with colorful lush white or yellow flowers with a pink or red border, which have a light sweet aroma.
Fimbriata pink
Lush flowers of a soft pink hue in this variety are very similar to cloves. Flowers have a pleasant fragrant aroma, which is very rare for tuberous varieties of this plant. Fimbriata pink looks great in hanging planters on balconies. You can plant begonias of this species in the open ground. But it is worth remembering that the plant is very fragile, and must be protected from the winds.
Belleconia
This terry begonia in most catalogs is among the root varieties and is considered among them one of the most attractive. Long shoots are crowned with beautiful large flowers, which can be of different colors. The most impressive varieties of this variety with bright red, scarlet, peach and pink flowers. Belleconia is a street begonia. It is most often grown indoors, but it grows better on the street. Therefore, it is recommended, as it gets warmer, to transplant the plant into the open ground.
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Decorative flowering varieties
Everlasting
This group includes many varieties of begonias that bloom all summer and are unpretentious to weather conditions. One of the most famous is the “Baby Wing” variety, spectacular with colorful flowers of various colors.
In the photo: Baby Wing variety
“Ambassador” is also in demand, which includes varieties with green leaves with a cut around the edges in the form of an original red stripe. The flowers they impress with a wide range of colors.
Elatior
This hybrid variety was bred in England. Such begonia blooms all year round, for which it is called winter. Compact bushes with lush flowers and glossy leaves in the form of an asymmetric heart with denticles on the edges look beautiful in pots on the windowsill.
Gluard de Lorrain
This variety can also bloom not only in autumn but also in winter. The plant is low, but very spreading, especially attractive due to drooping brushes of small flowers of bright pink color.
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Legends of begonia and its symbolism
According to one of the legends of the South American Indians, their goddess of Heaven, Tamaya, turned into a beautiful begonia flower. Descending once a year to the earth in the form of a beautiful woman, she was captured by the conquistadors. They wished to take her to Europe, but upon arrival they saw only a dried flower in the hold. The French botanist returned the plant to its homeland, and the Indians were able to revive it. In China, they claim that beautiful begonia flowers arose from the tears of a girl in love.
It is believed that these indoor flowers can attract happiness, help to find good luck in finances and meet love. Astrologers argue that begonia is under the favorable protection of the Sun and Venus and is able to relieve spleen and depression.
Looking at its many beautiful varieties, it is difficult to disagree with this statement. Bright colors of flowers and original shapes and colors of the leaves delight the eye and set you up for positive.
Therefore, beautiful begonias can be safely given as a gift, without fear for the negative semantic load of this plant. But it’s better to buy them at a flower shop rather than in the markets.
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Begonia as a useful flower in the house
Begonia is an ideal indoor plant for color therapy. Varieties with orange flowers improve mood, relieve spleen, and the yellow color of inflorescences allows tired eyes to relax.
Red begonia tunes to positive, adds vitality and strength to achieve the desired goals. In Asia, it is from these flowers that a bride’s jewelry is made, which symbolizes a fiery passion that will not fade even in marriage.
In addition, begonia is considered one of the best indoor plants for indoor air purification. The leaves of this flower absorb dust well. It is also recommended to place a cache-pot with begonia near the computer - to neutralize harmful radiation.
Varieties with red flowers can be placed in the bedroom, and to decorate the kitchen, you should choose varieties with decorative leaves.
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Finally
On a note! If you want to admire a huge number of these beautiful flowers at one time in one place, then you should visit the flower festival in Belgium. Once every 2 years, its visitors can contemplate a true miracle created by the painstaking work of landscape designers - an impressive carpet of 800 thousand begonias!
It is not by chance that begonia is called the true queen among indoor flowers. By the number of attractive decorative varieties that surprise with colorful flowers and the unusual color of the leaves, it is really difficult to find worthy competitors. Ease of care combined with beauty only adds appeal to this plant.
Feng Shui begonia is the flower of good luck. If you don’t have this beautiful living mascot in your house yet, then select a beautiful photo of him as a screensaver on your computer. If not luck, then it will definitely give a positive!
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Desktop wallpaper
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Posted by Skywriter13