Begonia Multiflora Maxima Pink - Tuberous begonia

Begonia Multiflora Maxima pink, which can be translated as pink multiflorous tuberous begonia, is a small, stocky plant that produces a very large number of flowers throughout the summer. This variety is easy to succeed with in containers, hanging baskets, and also in small shaded beds. Its double corollas, reminiscent of small roses, bring a touch of softness to the balcony and terrace.

Belonging to the Begoniaceae family, this begonia is part of the horticultural complex Begonia × tuberhybrida, resulting from cross-breeding between various Andean species such as B. boliviensis, B. pearcei, B. veitchii and related ones. The Multiflora Maxima group refers to lines selected to produce numerous medium-sized flowers on compact plants. "pink" here denotes the strong to soft pink colour of the flowers.
This begonia forms a small, bushy, dense clump, slightly trailing under the weight of the inflorescences. Its height reaches 25 to 30 cm, its spread 20 to 30 cm; it develops each spring from a flattened, brown tuber. The stems are fleshy, brittle, green to reddish; the deciduous foliage yellows and then disappears at the end of the season. The leaves are alternate, asymmetrical and heart-shaped, measuring 5 to 10 cm long. Their colour is a bright, glossy green, sometimes tinged with bronze depending on the plant; the edge is finely toothed, and the veins are prominent. It flowers from June to October with double, 5 to 7 cm diameter flowers, carried above the foliage; as with begonias, male and female flowers coexist, the male flowers are usually double while the female ones are more single. This begonia is not hardy; it will be destroyed by frost, so lift the tuber and overwinter it dry, at 5/10 °C, protected from rodents.

Use Multiflora Maxima pink begonias in pots and planters in partial shade, where they will form a regular, fully flowered cushion; pair with decorative foliage that highlights their colour. In a 40 cm container, plant it with a pink heuchera Wildberry, a trailing fuchsia Beacon Rosa and a golden carex Evergold; in a slightly shaded border, combine it with a coleus Copinto Sangria with velvety red-bronze foliage. Allow 3 young plants for a 60 cm planter. Pinch back any overly long stems on your begonia and remove spent flowers to prolong the flowering.

Tuberous begonias, highly prized since the Victorian era, have been extensively improved in England, Belgium and Germany; the "Multiflora" lines were developed for cultivation in balcony boxes and more exposed sites: their numerous, but modestly sized, flowers are less sensitive to wind and rain than those of the Grandiflora hybrids with very large corollas.