Bet on begonias for a stunning summer show

Itwouldn’t be summer without begonias, would it? They are the real show offs of the plant world. They range from the big and blousey, in your face varieties that we use in pot and hanging basket displays, to the more petite, tender border types. As well as the fiery colours of the flowers, begonias are also grown for their show stopping and eye-catching foliage.

Begonias are available either as fleshy tubers or as fibrous-rooted plants. The tuberous varieties have the big, showy flowers which come in bright shades of pink, yellow, orange, red and white. These will give you a stunning display throughout summer and into autumn and make excellent pot and hanging basket plants, as some of them will trail.

Fibrous begonias have a root ball of thin, fibrous roots. They include the dwarf bedding types and tend to have smaller leaves and flowers. They are best grown in containers and window boxes or as bedding at the front of a shady border.

They are usually treated as annuals and discarded at the end of the season. Foliage begonias are grown for their spectacular leaves, which come in a range of shapes, colours and patterns. They are popular as house plants and can be placed outside in summer, where they bring an exotic almost jungle look to your garden.

All begonias prefer to be situated out of direct sun, so are a welcome addition to a shady patio or border and will tolerate some dappled sunshine. The delicate blooms and leaves can easily crisp in direct sun. Only plant begonias outside when no more frosts are forecast, usually the end of May. Water regularly and feed weekly with a high potash fertiliser like tomato feed.

Plant begonia tubers in March or April into individual pots or into a seed tray, hollow side up. Plant them 2.5cm deep and keep in a warm spot that is at least 18°C. Once the leaves begin to show, pot them into larger pots filled with peat-free,multipurpose compost. They are frost tender so won’t survive in our cold weather and should be dug up and stored indoors for the winter, in a shed or greenhouse.

Jobs to keep you busy over July & August

It’s all about keeping your plants watered, fed and deadheaded regularly, paying particular attention to hanging baskets or pots. Thin overcrowded apple, plums and pears. This will ensure bigger and better quality fruit. Keep on top of weeds by hoeing or hand weeding frequently.

Water and feed sweet peas throughout the season, make sure to pick the flowers every few days, and remove any seed pods to prolong flowering.

Keep an eye out for pests such as lily beetles, snails and aphids, remove them before they do too much harm.

Cut lavender for drying, choosing newly opened flowers for the best fragrance; but leave enough on the bush for the pollinators. Hang up in a cool, dark place.

Make successional sowings of beetroot, radishes, spinach, lettuce and salad crops. All of these are fast growing and will ensure an extended season of fresh vegetables.

With a vase full of your homegrown flowers and a plate of vegetables, what more could you want in this warm month?

By Suzi M, plotter