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 will use these groupings.
Semperflorens-Cultorum begonias are fibrous-rooted evergreen perennials. They have a compact rounded growth habit which makes them a popular choice in display beds during summer.
They have rounded, often attractively coloured leaves and sprays of single or double flowers 1-2.5cm across that appear in summer or throughout the year.
Soft succulent branching stems have glossy green, bronze or reddish foliage with red, pink or white flowers at the branch tips. Although they prefer a partly shaded location they will tolerate full sun.
They are terrific border plants to bring strong splashes of colour to the garden.
Included in the group are many hybrids including:-
Begonia All Round - Has rounded green or bronzed leaves and weather resistant, single pink or white flowers.
Begonia Ambassador - Has rounded green leaves and single pink to scarlet flowers all summer.
Begonia Cocktail Series - Has rounded bronzed leaves and single pink, white or red and bicolour flowers all summer.
Begonia Organdy - This hybrid is weather resistant, it has rounded bronzed or green leaves and produces single, pink, red or white flowers all summer.