Big Leaf Red Begonia with bronze leaf- it's the quickest-blooming, largest, most vigorous Begonia the world has ever seen. And this splendid color (a fire-engine bright crimson-red) combines wonderfully with the large, elegant bronze foliage. If it's time to update the Begonia basket, let BIG™ lead the way! These color-drenched oval 2 1/2-inch flowers appear in great clusters, while the bronze foliage is glossy and oversized, with nicely pointed tips. BIG™ Red reaches about 20 inches high and blooms all summer in sun or shade. What a change from fussy older varieties! Perfect for mass landscaping, bedding, edging, or containers, the BIG™ Begonias germinate very easily and are self-cleaning throughout their long, lovely summer season. Released exactly 100 years after the first-ever Begonia hybrid, BIG™ is a giant leap forward. This pot is part of my series of containers called " God's Garden Gifts" which are plants and have a recipe with them. This God's Garden Gift is called " Cool as a Cucumber" You will have to have a look next year at the recipe why it is called this.
The second pictures is of Gryphon Begonias. Plants that were once considered denizens of indoor windowsills are making a break and heading outside. A wide range of tender perennials are shedding their houseplant image and are being offered at garden stores for use as annuals in the outdoor garden. A great choice for adding color and texture to beds or containers in shade to part shade is the new hybrid begonia 'Gryphon'. Named after a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, Begonia x hybrid 'Gryphon' is both eye-catching and durable. Its large, maple-like leaves are deep green splashed with silver and hints of purple. It's similar to a rex begonia, but more tolerant of dry soil and easier to grow. This fast grower will eventually reach 10-24 inches tall and wide. While it can be planted out directly in the garden, it makes an especially dramatic statement in a container, either as a solo show or combined with other shade lovers. Imagine it combined with the bold colors of coleus or a silvery waterfall of 'Silver Falls' dichondra. And you can double your pleasure by bringing in your container before frost and returning it to an indoor windowsill for the winter.
I know you here in Iowa, this is the end of our season but put either or both on your list for next year as they are easy, grow well, and still have color when it is the end of summer. Till next time, this is Becky Litterer from Becky's Greenhouse Dougherty, Iowa