The Complete Hardy Begonia Guide: The Shade Perennial That Makes Its Own Babies

Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana) is a shade perennial that comes back every year in zones 6 to 9, spreads itself politely, and asks nothing of you. It flowers pink from midsummer into fall, and it makes its own baby plants at the leaf joints, which is the easiest propagation in the garden.

Ours line the front of the cabin. By summer they are covered in dainty pink blooms, and in spring it is a pleasure to see where they have quietly reseeded themselves. I will be honest: I ignore them completely, and they are better for it.

The one thing you need to know first

Hardy begonia comes up very late in spring. Later than almost anything else in the bed, often not until May, sometimes June. Every year somebody decides theirs died over winter and digs up the spot, and every year they were about three weeks early.

Mark where it is in fall. Then leave it alone and let it surprise you.

Where to plant it

• Shade to part shade. It will take some morning sun, but hot afternoon sun scorches the leaves.
• Rich, well-draining soil with some organic matter. It is not fussy, but it will not sit in a wet spot.
• Zones 6 to 9. In Zone 6 give it a mulch blanket for insurance.
• Give it about 18 inches. Plants reach roughly two feet tall and wide.

The leaves are worth as much as the flowers. Big angel-wing shaped foliage, green on top and deep red underneath, and when the light comes through them from behind the veining lights up.

How to propagate hardy begonia from bulbils

This is the fun part, and it is why these are such good plants to share with gardening friends.

In late fall the plant makes bulbils (pronounced BUHL-bilz), which are tiny baby bulbs, in the leaf axils where each leaf meets the stem. They look like small round dark brown or black bumps.

1. Look in the leaf axils from mid to late fall. Once you spot the first one you will see them all over the plant.
2. Pluck them when they are firm and mature. A ripe bulbil comes away with almost no pressure. If you have to tug, leave it another week.
3. Scatter them where you want new plants, somewhere shady or part shade with rich soil that drains. Cover lightly with soil or leaf mulch.
4. Then do nothing. They settle in over winter and sprout in spring.

They drop on their own if you leave them, which is how a patch quietly widens each year. Collecting them is just a way of deciding where the next patch goes. It is the easiest propagation method there is, because nature does the work.

Care through the year

Spring

Do nothing, and resist the urge to dig. It emerges late. Once it is up, a little compost is all the feeding it wants.

Summer

Water in a real drought, otherwise leave it. Flowering starts around midsummer.

Fall

Flowers carry on until frost. Bulbils form in the leaf axils. Collect them or let them drop.

Winter

The top dies back completely. Leave the stems or clear them, it makes no difference. Mark the spot.

Hardy begonia questions we get asked

Is hardy begonia really perennial?

Yes. Begonia grandis is the only begonia that reliably overwinters outdoors in a cold climate, hardy in zones 6 to 9. The bedding begonias sold as annuals are different plants entirely.

Why has my hardy begonia not come up yet?

It is almost certainly fine. Hardy begonia is one of the last perennials to emerge, often not showing until May or even June. More of them are lost to impatient digging than to winter.

Does hardy begonia spread?

Yes, politely. It self-sows from seed and from the bulbils that drop in fall, so a patch widens a little each year. It is easy to pull where you do not want it and it does not run underground.

Will hardy begonia grow in full sun?

It tolerates morning sun but wants shade in the afternoon. In full sun the leaves scorch and the plant looks miserable all summer.

What are the bumps on my begonia stems?

Bulbils, the small round bulbs that form in the leaf axils in fall. They are baby plants. Scatter them where you want more, or leave them to drop on their own.

When do hardy begonias bloom?

Midsummer into fall, usually pink, sometimes white, and they keep going right up to frost, which is when most of the shade garden has finished.

Is hardy begonia deer resistant?

Largely, yes. Deer will browse almost anything if they are hungry enough, but hardy begonia is well down their list, which is part of what makes it such an easy plant.

If you are filling a shady spot, it pairs well with anything that peaks earlier in the season, since hardy begonia arrives late and then carries the bed until frost.

While you’re here, take a look at The Complete Hydrangea Guide and The Complete Garlic Guide: When to Plant, What to Grow and How to Store It.