For years, I’ve admired the hanging baskets and mixed containers of gardens in Victoria, Vancouver, and scenic spots like Leavenworth, Washington. If you’ve visited these places, you can understand why I, “The Garden Guy,” became so enchanted. Recently, however, my gardening horizons have expanded, largely thanks to the arrival of Solenia begonias, a plant that’s completely redefined my garden.
In my backyard in Zone 8, West Georgia, I’ve watched in awe as these begonias bloomed from spring until frost. Proven Winners, which produces them, calls these Rieger begonias (Begonia x hiemalis). I’ve grown several varieties—Scarlet, Yellow, Chocolate Orange, and the rarest of them all, the Apricot. Each one has performed brilliantly, but it’s the Apricot that has truly captured my heart due to its stunning color.
While Solenia begonias aren’t winter hardy, their corms can be dug up and stored for the next season. As I’ve grown older, I’ve left this task to the younger “Garden Guy” in me, and I happily support the green industry with more gardening supplies.
The flowers are large, double-petaled, and have a rose-like appearance. My garden’s position is ideal for them—April and May, with moderate temperatures, provide them with plenty of sunlight, while summer’s intense rays are softened by filtered light. These begonias thrive in at least 14-inch pots filled with premium potting soil and perfect drainage. This setup keeps the soil moist without the risk of sogginess. I feed them every two to three weeks using a diluted water-soluble mix, which I apply with a green watering bucket—often accompanied by a curious green tree frog looking for its next snack.
Solenia begonias typically reach about 12 inches in height with equal spread, though I’ve found they often spread even more. What’s especially fun is watching them seek out the path of least resistance as they grow. After years of curating garden colors and styles, working with the Apricot color has been an absolute delight.
In the first year, I paired the Solenia Apricot with Supertunia Mini Vista Ultramarine petunia—a match made in heaven. Their glowing hues were even more striking when combined with Superbenas Whiteout and Cobalt verbenas, planted in an aqua blue container. I must say, I looked like a genius when a Double Play Candy Corn spirea popped up, adding another layer of vibrant color.
This year, I decided to experiment with hanging baskets, planting Solenia Apricot alongside Soprano Violet Shades impatiens and Sweet Caroline Medusa Green ornamental sweet potato vine. The combination was stunning, but what truly elevated the display was the backdrop of blue Let’s Dance hydrangea blooms, which added a dreamy touch.
While I wouldn’t necessarily call the Solenia begonias a butterfly magnet, I did spot a few Eastern Tiger Swallowtails fluttering around, sipping nectar—or perhaps water—from the petals. Whether they’re attracting pollinators or not, one thing’s for sure: these begonias thrive in the South and will take your garden designs to new heights of beauty and creativity.
