Other Names:  Shrub Begonia

Description:

An outstanding, mounding begonia with large, deep green foliage with red undersides; white blooms with hints of shell pink are produced throughout the season; an evergreen variety perfect for large shaded containers

Ornamental Features

Ramirez Begonia features dainty clusters of fragrant white star-shaped flowers with shell pink overtones and gold centers at the ends of the branches from mid spring to mid fall. Its attractive large tomentose heart-shaped leaves remain dark green in color with curious dark red undersides throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Ramirez Begonia is a dense multi-stemmed annual with a mounded form. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Ramirez Begonia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Ramirez Begonia will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. Although it's not a true annual, this plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average conditions that are neither too wet nor too dry, and is very intolerant of standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.

Ramirez Begonia is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.