From pale to bright
Pink begonias cover a huge range. Wax begonias come in shell pink and rose, while tuberous begonias offer salmon, coral and deep pink in fully double flowers. A few cane begonias hang clusters of pink bells, and some rex begonias have pink-toned foliage with silver patterns.
Choosing by garden style
- For a cottage look, mix pale pink wax begonias with white alyssum.
- For a bold pot, pick a single double-flowered tuberous plant in hot pink.
- For shade under trees, combine pink flowers with dark green ferns.
How they differ by city
Melbourne, Hobart and the Dandenongs are good for tuberous types, which like cool nights and humid air. In Sydney and Brisbane, wax begonias are easier and flower for months. In Perth, choose a shaded spot with morning sun only, as summer heat and dry winds are hard on foliage. Canberra gardeners should treat them as summer plants because frost kills the tops.
A simple care routine
Plant in a loose, free-draining mix. Let the surface dry between waterings, because soggy soil leads to stem rot. Feed every two to three weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser during flowering. When a tuberous begonia dies down in autumn, keep the tuber dry and frost free until the following spring.
Why pink begonias are not for chewing
The ASPCA warns that begonias can harm dogs, cats and horses. Soluble calcium oxalates are the cause, mostly in the underground parts, and signs include vomiting and salivation.
