Begonia Stonehedge Light Pink Bronze Leaf seeds

Begonia Stonehedge Light Pink Bronze Leaf is the first interspecific hybrid of Begonia multiflora. It excels in every aspect: very large, tall and wide, perfectly round, particularly branched and vigorous, it is also very early and floriferous. The foliage is bronze and beautifully complements the soft pink flowers with yellow stamens. It can reach a height of 1 m and a width of 70 cm when planted in the ground but also thrives when planted in a large pot. It is "self-cleaning," and very heat resistant.

Begonias belong to the Begoniaceae family and can be tuberous or rhizomatous. Originating from intertropical rainforests, they mainly come from South America, but also from Africa or Asia. In simple terms, rhizomatous Begonias are those that continuously grow in the forest and do not experience a dry season. Tuberous Begonias, on the other hand, live in the same areas but at higher altitudes in slightly brighter sites, experiencing a dry season which leads to leaf loss. This is the time for them to produce fruits and replenish nutrient reserves.

Stonehedge™ Light Pink Bronze Leaf belongs to the category of tuberous plants. It forms a plant characterised by a flattened tuber, 4 to 10 cm wide, which is in vegetative rest from October to March-April, and in growth from April to October. Spring sees the emergence of new shoots from the upper zone of the tuber, rapidly producing leaves and flowers. It flowers from June to October. It will mature to a width of up to 70 cm and a height of 1 m. It is not trailing. It has deciduous, bronze, and shiny foliage. The laminae are always asymmetrical; the petioles have stipules at their base.

This Begonia thrives equally well in full sun as in a shaded spot. The tuberous begonia requires a temperature between 10 and 25°C to develop properly. It is recommended to plant it in rich, slightly moist soil. In early spring, as nights are cool, it is best to cultivate it indoors four to eight weeks before moving it outside around May-June, when night time temperatures are above 10°C. Once outdoors, it will bloom all summer if regularly watered. In late autumn, the clumps should be dug up or the pots brought indoors, allowing the foliage to dry before extracting the tubers from the soil, brushing them, and storing them dry until the following spring.

With its dense habit, Light Pink Bronze Leaf is an excellent plant for flower beds or large pots on the terrace. It can be grown as an indoor or conservatory plant. For a charming touch, flower heads can even be cut and floated in bowls of water. The flowers are edible, but do not consume more than two per day.