Begonia bedding plants: Our buying and care guide to these vibrant blooms

Begonia bedding plants are a fantastic choice for beginner gardeners, and bedding plants allow you to get creative and test out new designs each year. It's one of many plants you can plant indoors and outdoors. Bedding plants are particularly versatile and can be planted in beds, hanging baskets, containers and window boxes. Begonia bedding plants come in all shapes, sizes and colours and will quickly fill your containers and hanging baskets with beautiful splashes of colours. They are also very affordable and will transform your outdoor space at very little expense.

What are begonia plants? Begonias grow into big, bushy plants covered in large, frilly flowers that bloom through summer and autumn until the first frost of winter comes in. Many varieties have cascading effects as they spill over the edges of pots and planters, while others are highly scented and bring an abundance of fragrance to a seating area.

Best begonia bedding plants at a glance

• Sweet apricot: Begonia 'Fragrant Falls - Apricot Delight' - View Offer at Dobie's
• Rose pink planters: Begonia 'Nonstop Rose Petticoat' - View Offer at Dobie's
• Immaculate blooms: Begonia Organdy 'Mixed' - View Offer at Suttons

Begonias are striking perennial plants that live for more than two years. Although they do have a reputation for being a little old-fashioned - cottagecore to a tee, there are now new bold varieties that differ from the delicate plants traditionally used. So, at Modern Gardens Magazine, we'd love you to plant some of these flowers yourself: as blooming bedding plants or neatly potted on the patio. We've written a care guide to begonia bedding plants.

Begonia Bedding Plants

Begonias Care Buys

Here are all the begonia care items we have mentioned throughout the article.

FAQs

How to plant begonias

In March or April, you can purchase begonia tubers in a garden centre or from online stores.

According to Gardeners' World, the best way to plant begonias is to 'plant the tubers into individual pots or the hollow side in a seed tray. Plant 2.5cm deep and keep in a warm spot at least 18 degrees centigrade. Once the leaves begin to show, pot on into larger pots filled with John Innes No. 2 compost or peat-free, multi-purpose compost.'

Most of the begonias we have selected are pot-grown plants or plugs. This is a more straightforward method to grow in a greenhouse or sunny windowsill and harden off before planting them out in the garden in May when all the risk of frost has passed before planting outdoors.

In autumn, you can dig up tuberous begonias and keep the tubers in a cool, frost-free spot to preserve them over the winter.

How to take care of begonia bedding plants

Most bedding plants prefer a place in the sun, but a few will thrive in the shade. Grow begonias in peat-free, multi-purpose compost in spotted sunshine or a partially shaded area. Avoid south-facing areas as the foliage can burn in direct sunlight. If you're growing begonias in a greenhouse, some shade may be required to help them thrive.

Tuberous begonias are excellent for growing in pots and hanging baskets. They have relatively brittle stems and heavy blooms, so grow them in a sheltered spot. On the other hand, foliage begonias are best grown as houseplants in the shade.

Plant tubers of tuberous begonias in the springtime. Only plant begonias outside in May, when there is no more chance of frost.

You should water the plants regularly and feed them weekly with a high potash fertiliser like tomato feed. Keep plants well-watered but allow the soil to dry out between waterings – this is especially important for tuberous begonias, which can rot in waterlogged soil. Alternatively, add a slow-release fertiliser pellet to the compost when planting. Do not feed tuberous begonias in September, as the plants should be encouraged to slow down for the year.

What to read next:

The best plants and blooms for a beautiful hanging basket

Best climbing plants to add height and colour

Best large outdoor plant pots to give your plants space to thrive

Ellen Kinsey is a Senior Health & Wellness Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in sustainable living and health. She lives and breathes all things natural health, cooking and nature.