February marks the annual thaw for gardeners who endure the manic window shopping of January. The garden centers come back to life as eager gardeners plan for the spring season. In the back (or front!) of the center are the begonias. Their odds and boxes sell out fast, and for good reason.

Versatile Begonias

Begonias foods almost any climate and are very low maintenance. Shaded patios, window boxes, and north facing garden beds are troublesome for gardeners trying to fill up those empty, barren spots. Fortunately, begonias are as accommodating as they are decorative.

Add even more flowers to your baskets

Begonias are tuberous and produce flowers from mid-summer through the first frost. They are very high yield flowers for a garden that wants to bloom longer and to do so better. Color is added to the garden for four months straight due to a single bulb. This long lasting bloom is perfect for a gardener trying to maximise a small space.

People Think Begonias are High Maintenance

Most people think that when they buy begonia bulbs they are hard to grow. This isn’t true. In fact, they’re quite the opposite. They tend to like a frost-free start. That means most people get them going indoors in March and April, before bringing them outside once the weather warms up. Outside of that, it isn’t hard to get begonias going. They require a bit of moisture, but don’t swamp them. They like a steady, but light feeding in the summer.

Another selling point when you buy begonia bulbs is that you don’t have to plant new bulbs every year. You can dig up the tubers in the fall, before the cold weather, let them dry, and store them for the winter. You can go three to four seasons before you even need to purchase new bulbs. In fact, a lot of gardeners have tubers that are in the ten year range. The tubers get bigger every year, and the flowers get bigger, and bloom more generous and plentiful.

The Other Thing is the Options

The variety of bulbs on the market is significantly greater than what they used to be 20 years ago. You can readily find the types bred to be for hanging baskets, but you can also get ones with compact upright types, dark almost black foliage, and types with contrasting petal edges.

Newer trends in gardening have started to attract a new type of gardener. “Old-fashioned” plants like begonias are being cultivated and appreciated in new ways. A contemporary gardener may be drawn to begonias for their burgundy foliage or their salmon and cream flowers. The limited gardening area of a balcony or terrace encourages a gardener to be discerning when selecting a plant that warrants a planting spot.

For gardeners tired of their winter gardening break, beginning to grow spring blooms is a practical choice. Begonias are accessible for gardeners during the spring. When you buy begonia bulbs these you can do so in winter and early spring. With a little attention, plants can be placed outdoors for blooming mid-summer. The timing coincides with the springtime motivation to start gardening again.

Sales and internet searches regarding begonias see a spike in the spring and again in the late spring and early summer during the Chelsea Flower Show, when people are inspired to try their hand at growing begonias. Many try their hand at growing for the first time during the Chelsea Flower Show.

Worth Trying if You Haven’t

It may not be fair to judge all begonias based on how they look in the public gardens. You should see how the tuberous begonias look in your garden. If you buy begonia bulbs from a quality retailer and start them properly in the right container or border position, you’ll get some stunning results. These results won’t be eye-catching and elaborate. Instead, you’ll get a quietly beautiful garden.

This is most likely the reason the garden centre boxes are sold out every spring.