There are hundreds of species and related cultivars within the Begonia genus. The Royal Horticultural Society has broken the genus into 7 main groups based on growth habit and cultivation needs and we have used these groupings.
The Rex group of hybrids have some genetic link to Begonia rex also known as the Painted-Leaf Begonia or King Begonia.
Although Rex cultorum hybrids are rhizomatous they have been given a separate group because of their distinctive and ornamental foliage.
The leaves vary in size, shape (tend to be ovate but can be spiral) and in colour (from greens, to cream and maroons.) Leaf surface also varies from matt to metallic and hairy to smooth. The patterns may be spirals, splashes, speckles, or intricate shapes in greens, creams, pink, purple, maroon and red to silver.
Regardless of your taste you are sure to find a variety to suit.
The flowers produced are small and inconsequential, in fact most growers remove the flower stalks before they flower.
These can be grown outside in tropical and sub-tropical areas but tend to be grown inside where the amazing foliage can be enjoyed all year. They have a rounded growth habit and grow to about a maximum 30cm tall and wide which makes them a perfect size as a pot plant.