Begonia × tuberhybrida Non Stop® Pink - Double tuberous begonia

Begonia Nonstop® Pink is a compact, long-flowering tuberous begonia, highly valued for brightening up shady or semi-shady areas in pots or in the garden. Its large, double, bright pink flowers follow one another from late spring until the first frosts. This begonia has a well-rounded habit, perfect for planters, hanging baskets, or sheltered borders.

This plant belongs to the vast horticultural group Begonia x tuberhybrida, formed of complex hybrids derived from species originating in the tropical Andes. Introduced to Europe in the 19th century, these species formed the basis for the first tuberous hybrids created in England. In the 20th century, they gave rise to modern series such as the F1 Nonstop® series, developed by the German house Benary to achieve continuous flowering and regular growth.

Botanically, Nonstop® Pink is a tuberous perennial, although it is often grown as an annual in our climate; its tuber cannot withstand frost. However, if overwintered dry between 5 and 10 °C, it can flower again for several years. The plant has an upright, rounded, dense habit with succulent, brittle, slightly translucent stems. The foliage is compound, with asymmetrical, heart-shaped to ovate, 6 to 10 cm long, medium to dark green, finely toothed leaves, with a supple and slightly glossy texture. They disappear completely at the end of the season when the tuber enters dormancy. The plant reaches 20 to 30 cm in height and 30 to 40 cm in width. Its growth is rapid once the temperature exceeds 15 °C, allowing a well-flowered cushion to be quickly obtained from a tuber started into growth in spring. 
The flowers are borne on firm peduncles above the foliage and grouped in threes: a large, double male floret in the centre surrounded by simpler female flowers. In Nonstop® Pink, the double floret, formed of numerous overlapping, slightly wavy petals, forms a corolla 8 to 10 cm in diameter, in a strong pink that may lighten slightly depending on the light. Flowering lasts from June to October.

Begonia Nonstop® Pink is more floriferous if it receives a few hours of morning sun. It is easy to grow in a light, rich, moist, but well-drained potting compost. It is perfect in pots or window boxes, but also in seasonal garden displays. It can be planted in the foreground of a shady border, alongside Heuchera ‘Midnight Rose’, with its dark foliage punctuated with pink, or combined with variegated hostas like 'Orion's Belt'. In a large planter, a ribbon of Carex oshimensis ‘Everlime’, with its fine foliage, adds a light texture at the base of the begonias, while a few impatiens Beacon® Mix will create a beautiful mass of foliage and flowers.

Introduced to Europe in the 19th century from Andean species (Bolivia, Peru), tuberous begonias have been the subject of extensive hybridisation programmes. The Nonstop® series is obtained from F1 hybrid seeds and provides very uniform plants.