Begonia Garden Angel Blush

Begonia 'Garden Angel Blush' is a spectacular perennial Begonia, especially due to its astonishing hardiness that allows it to withstand temperatures as low as -10 to -12°C (14 to 10.4°F) if its stump is well protected. It behaves like a perennial, persisting in mild climates but regrowing from the stump in mid-spring if there is a severe frost. Its foliage is particularly ornamental: palmate, multicoloured and changing, it is adorned in summer with small pink flowers that harmonize with the pink reflections of some leaves. This extraordinary plant brings a strong exotic touch to containers, pots or large hanging baskets. In the garden, it will accompany hostas, ferns and all shade-loving perennials.

Begonia 'Garden Angel Blush' is part of a very recent series of hybrids, beautifully named 'Garden Angel', developed in the USA from Begonias naturally resistant to the cold, such as Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana and Begonia chuyunshanensis. It is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Begonia family.

 'Garden Angel Blush' has fleshy stems that develop palmate leaves, somewhat like those of maples. They are thick, leathery, divided into 5 to 6 deeply dentate lobes. In 'Blush', their colour is a mixture of violet, pink, red, white, with black veins and reflections of tin or silver. Depending on the age of the leaf and the temperature, the colour evolves. This vigorous plant, almost shrubby for a Begonia, will quickly reach a height of 40 to 50cm (16 to 20in) and a diameter of 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in). Appearing in August-September, its small flowers are simple, pink, without frills but very fresh. They are carried by trailing peduncles.

This Begonia is ideal for planting in the ground, in the company of shade-loving plants: hostas, ferns, Impatiens balfourii, Geranium phaeum and Asarums will be good companions. But to help it gain strength and be able to monitor and protect it from both cold and gastropods, it is preferable to start its cultivation in a pot. It can be used in all shaded areas, in borders, in containers, large flowering pots, but also to create large hanging baskets, mixed with black-leaved Ipomoeas for example. In a very exotic spirit, a colourful border can be created by associating this hardy Begonia with dwarf Cannas or Hedychiums.