The most common types of begonias for growing outside are the fibrous rooted begonias (or wax begonias) and tuberous begonias. These are tender in South Carolina, but the beautiful and perennial hardy begonia will grow throughout the state.

Wax Begonias (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum): Few other annuals can beat the wax begonias for hardiness and continuous flowering throughout the summer. These begonias are not restricted to a partial shade; they can be grown in full sun as well. Wax begonias with bronze foliage do better in the sun than green varieties. Wax begonias withstand drought and heat better than other begonias, although they definitely prefer moist, well-drained, fertile soil.

Bushy plants, with shiny heart-shaped leaves of green, bronze-red or mahogany are covered with small white, pink, rose or red flowers.

Set plants 6 to 8 inches apart in the garden after
the danger of frost is past. Plants may also be started indoors from stem cuttings taken in the spring or fall.

Cultivars

* ‘Victory’ is a series with bronze leaves. They grow 8 to 10 inches in the garden and sport large, showy flowers.
* ‘Challenger’ comes in a mixture, where the red, rose, pink or white flowers contrast with its green-and-bronze foliage.
* ‘Ambassador’ series has large flowers on compact, green-leafed plants.
* ‘Cocktail’ is a well-known series with bronze foliage. The flower colors are ‘Brandy’ (soft pink flowers), ‘Gin’ (soft rose-pink flowers), ‘Rum’ (white flowers with a rose red band around the edge), ‘Vodka’ (bright scarlet flowers) and ‘Whiskey’ (pure white flowers). Compact, 6-to 8-inch plants.
* ‘Prelude Series’ hold up well through rain and heat. The compact plants have bright green foliage.

Hardy Begonia ( B. grandis): This is a superb southern heirloom perennial that is passed from gardener to gardener. They grow best with rich, moist soils in partial shade.

The hardy begonia reaches 2 to 3 feet in height. Small, pink flowers bloom in drooping clusters above the leaves in late summer. The large angel wing-shaped leaves are backed in glowing red. They are especially lovely when planted where late, low afternoon sun will shine through the leaves. Tiny bulblike tubers that appear at the leaf joints in late summer can be used to increase your stock or to share with a neighbor.

Tuberous Begonias (B. x tuberhybrida): Tuberous begonias grow best in partial shade. The plants need frequent watering and light fertilization, but excess of either causes flower bud drop. Tuberous begonias will grow best in the upper Piedmont and mountain areas of South Carolina. They do poorly in very hot and humid parts of the state.

Tuberous begonias have 2-to 4-inch wide flowers in white, yellow, orange, rose, red and pink. They are available either in upright varieties or with trailing stems 12 to 18 inches long. The trailing types are nice to plant in hanging baskets.

Remove the first flower buds that appear so that the strength goes into the young plant. Remove the single female flowers before seed forms to keep the plant blooming. The female flowers are smaller and are on either side of the showy, double male flowers.

Tuberous begonias must be dug up and replanted each year because they will not survive winter cold. Dig tubers before frost. Cut tops back to within a

couple inches of the tubers. After drying, pack the tubers in cardboard boxes between layers of vermiculite, peat moss, or wood shavings and store at 45 to 55 ° F.

Start tuberous begonias in early spring by setting tubers into shallow flats. Keep out of direct sunlight. When the roots are established and shoots are about 1 or 2 inches high, move them to pots 4 to 6 inches wide. When all danger of frost has passed, move them outdoors.

Cultivars

* ‘Non-stop Series’ are compact and small- flowered multiflora types. They are more heat-tolerant than other tuberous begonias and will flower longer. This type is best suited to growing in the South.

Rex Begonias (B. rex): Rex begonias are not grown for their flowers, but for their beautiful leaves. The leaves can be a kaleidoscope of colors – green, red, pink, silver, gray, lavender and a maroon, so deep that it appears black. These spectacular begonias grow best in part-shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil. They grow well in hanging baskets and other containers.

Cultivars

* ‘Merry Christmas’ grows 10 to 12 inches tall with smooth red and green leaves shaped like lopsided hearts.
* ‘Silver Sweet’ is an especially easy-to-grow 12 to 18 inch tall cultivar. Its leaves are like those of ‘Merry Christmas’ but are silver with green veins.
* ‘Helen Teupel’ grows to 12 inches tall with pointed, sharply lobed leaves that are purplish red brushed with pink and silver.