Add Color To Fall Garden Beds With An Easy-To-Grow Flower

While flower beds are often put together with an emphasis on summer color, that doesn't have to be the case. Opting for plants that either flower later in the season or flower from spring through fall is a great way to create a bed with multi-season interest. One fantastic flower to consider for these types of beds is the beautiful begonia.

There is a shocking amount of variety within the begonia genus, and not all species are good options for autumn, as many struggle with temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Luckily, that's not the case with hardy begonias (Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana). These beauties happily bloom from late summer all the way until there is frost on the ground. Unlike most garden begonias that are grown as annuals in much of the United States, hardy begonias are perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9 –meaning they'll come back year after year to grace your autumn garden with their stunning blooms.

Begonias, including hardy begonias, thrive in shady spots, making them an ideal way to add cheerful flowers to shade gardens where few other flowers thrive. They can also grow in half shade, half sun locations. Begonias need well-draining soil to grow their best. You can amend your soil with compost if necessary, as this both improves drainage and provides the fertile soil begonias prefer. Make sure to water your begonias regularly if you don't receive rain. Don't forget to mulch around your begonias well, as this not only helps to keep their soil moist, but is also important for successfully overwintering your begonia.

While you can certainly fill a garden with just hardy begonias and enjoy their massive leaves and dainty blooms, you could also pair them with other plants that need shade. Coral bells (Heurchera spp.) are an excellent companion for hardy begonias, as they too handle cooler temperatures well and thrive in shady locations with moist and well-draining soil. Because coral bells have so many unique leaf color options, it shouldn't be too challenging to find ones that complement your begonias and add autumnal tones to the garden. Purples and coppers could be especially beautiful.