Begonia Superba Pink - Large-flowered tuberous begonia

Begonia x tuberhybrida Superba Pink stands out for the abundance of its flowering and the luminous brilliance of its hues. Throughout summer and into early autumn, it unfurls large double flowers of a vibrant raspberry pink, perfectly highlighted by the contrast with its dark green foliage. Positioned in partial shade, it provides lasting illumination to the garden thanks to its numerous inflorescences, which evoke certain camellias. It appreciates a soil rich in organic matter, moist yet well-drained, as well as a location sheltered from wind, as its fleshy stems are prone to breakage. Grown in pots, containers, or in the ground, it creates spectacular floral displays. The tuber must be kept dry and protected from the cold to ensure its regrowth the following spring.

The Begonia genus owes its name to Michel Bégon, a great plant collector in the 17th century. This botanical family, the Begoniaceae, includes only one other genus, Hillebrandia, represented solely by a species native to Hawaii. Begonias themselves number over two thousand, mostly originating from warm, humid tropical environments, hence their popularity as houseplants. The Tuberous Begonia, however, is an exception: its tuber, a true energy reserve, allows it to temporarily withstand temperatures close to 0°C. Born from cross-breeding between different South American species, such as Begonia boliviensis, Begonia x tuberhybrida is thus perfectly adapted to flower gardens in summer, as it can remain outdoors until October in many regions.
The Superba Pink variety is the pink version of the horticultural Superba series, recognised and appreciated for its large flowers borne on upright stems. Emerging from winter, the tubercle produces new fleshy shoots, bearing asymmetrical, finely toothed, glossy dark green leaves. The foliage is attractive even before it flowers, and then, from June, the flowers take over. They sometimes reach around ten centimetres in diameter, or even more, and are so numerous that they almost cover the vegetation. The plant then forms a clump approximately 30 to 35 cm high and wide, covered in intense pink, double flowers with overlapping petals, whose charm recalls that of some Rose varieties. Flowering continues until September, or even October, especially if spent flowers are removed to prevent the plant from becoming exhausted. Regular feeding will support the flowering effort, which heavily draws on the plant's resources. Outdoors, the above-ground vegetation disappears with the first frost, then you need to lift the tuber and store it dry during winter.

Begonia x tuberhybrida Superba Pink is therefore a reliable choice for creating a floral display throughout summer into autumn. You can position it at the front of a border, or even on a terrace sheltered from direct sun, in a planter or a large container. Pair it with plants with decorative foliage to play on contrasts: Dichondra 'Silver Falls' placed at the edge of the container will cascade down to the ground like a silver waterfall. A plant of Coleus 'Skeletal' will add a touch of charm to your display with its very original foliage, which seems to mimic a tropical marine animal. The deeply cut leaves are in magenta tones, edged with lime green. And to further highlight the flowering of your Begonia, plant beside it a Bacopa Scopia Double Snowball whose countless white flowers will happily complement the intense pink.