How to Grow Bedding Begonias (Begonia Semperflorens)

Hi, this is Yolanda Vanveen and in this segment we're going to learn all about how to grow the Begonia Semperfloren. Now it's a beautiful begonia that's also know as the wax begonia. So wax begonias or semperflorens begonias or bedding begonias are originally from Brazil so begonias are found all over the world and a lot of them are found in South America. But I believe the semperflorens actually originated in Brazil and South America. They are very short shrubby begonias and they're also known as bedding annuals. They can only go down to zone nine so they do best in zones nine through eleven and they do great in containers and they have lots of branches with lots of soft succulent stems and they have rounded glossy green leaves about two inches long. And they just have lots and lots of flowers on them. Begonias love, love to bloom, and the wax begonias especially. They don't give you the big begonia flowers like some of the other varieties but they give you lots of tiny dainty little flowers. They're very rewarding as an annual. They come back year after year and they're just a little tuber so you can save the bulbs in the fall and either throw the pot in the garage for the winter or throw them back outside in the spring or start them in the spring for another year. If you live in a warmer climate, anywhere zone nine or above, you can leave them in the ground year round. And even as far as low as zone seven, eight, I've put them around the eaves of the house and had them survive the winter for me before. They're a beautiful plant. You can always trim them down too as the plants and the blooms kind of fade off. Pull them off or trim it off a little bit and they'll grow new lush blooms again. They're a very rewarding plant.