Why begonias come in red
Red is common in begonias. Wax begonias carry bright scarlet flowers over green or bronze foliage, while tuberous begonias have big red blooms that can be single or double. Some rex begonias show red or burgundy in the leaves themselves, so the colour does not depend on flowers at all.
The meaning behind red
Red begonias are often linked with warmth and friendship. In some old flower dictionaries, the begonia as a whole stands for caution or a warning to the recipient, but sources differ, and modern givers rarely follow it.
Keeping red looking rich
- Choose bright shade: too much afternoon sun fades red petals and scorches leaves.
- In humid Brisbane or Sydney, space plants well to cut down on mildew.
- In Perth, Adelaide and inland districts, water pots deeply during heatwaves.
- Feed lightly every few weeks while flowering.
- Pinch off spent flowers to encourage new buds.
Matching the season
Wax begonias flower for much of the year in frost-free gardens, while tuberous begonias peak from December to March. Red also suits Christmas, which falls in midsummer here, and a red begonia in a pot stays good well beyond the day.
Red begonias and animals
The ASPCA records begonias as harmful to dogs, cats and horses. Calcium oxalates are concentrated underground, which is where most of the risk lies.
