Monday, August 26, 2013

Dragon Wing Begonia, Annual Flowers for Wisconsin

 Red Dragon Wing Begonia

The Red Dragon Wing Begonia became my favorite annual a few summers ago when I happened upon it for the first time at a local nursery. They were a little more expensive than some of the other annuals, but were so gorgeous and showy, that I decided to give them a try. They thrive in shade/ part sun, so they were perfect for the spot where I needed some color. They did beautifully the first summer. Of course they don't winter over up here in NW Wisconsin, so...



The next summer I purchased Dragon Wing Begonias again, and although I put them in a shade/part sun area, they spent a few weeks dying. I think their short miserable life was due to the fact that I had planted them under a maple tree where there were lots of little tiny maple roots that managed to crowd and strangle them. Not a good year for my Dragon Wing Begonias.

This year, I tried again. This time I planted them in a couple spots: one was away from the maple tree, but still in a shady/part sun area along with my aloe vera. I also put four of them in a big container. Apparently they are perfect for container gardening, as long as I remember to water them daily.

Dragon Wing Begonia (r.)
Christmas Cactus (l.)

The flower clusters are so pretty and the foliage is heavy and dark. I'll be looking for Dragon Wing Begonias next spring too.

According to the USDA Hardiness Zone Finder We're in zone 3-4, which is why we rely so much upon annuals in our neck of the woods. Do you have a favorite annual?


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15 comments:

  1. Good morning, dear!
    I also love the dragon wings. Yes, they do love pots! I have wintered them indoors. Of course, that is what I use my classroom for... So, hopefully, he will make it through the school year? Yours look beautiful!

    Have a wonderful day!
    Love and hugs!
    Heather

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  2. Love the red of the dragon wings!! I don't know if I have ever seen those types of flowers before. As for my favorite annuals of the southwest desert... the Lobelia. I love them in blue.. although they come in pink and white too I believe.

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  3. This is a new flower for me. I like it. Thanks for sharing your beauties.

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  4. this looks like the one that lives in our plant hospital. i can't tell you how many begonias i killed in my life time.. the one in the plant hospital was a tiny bud that bob found in another plant someone gave him... as long as he leaves it where it is, it thrives, but move it anywhere else and it starts to die.

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  5. they're pretty, but i like your healthy christmas cactus - reminds me of my mother.

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  6. Have not seen that before. Gorgeous!

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  7. Begonias don't do well in Utah either but one that I planted is not flourishing but it has stayed alive for a couple of years.

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  8. Very pretty, and your Christmas cactus looks very healthy, too! I gave up trying to keep plants alive a long time ago. It's just not one of my areas of interest or expertise. I enjoy looking at them, but have a brown thumb. Yours are gorgeous!

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  9. Those begonias are just beautiful. I didn't get any this year and I usually do. I love most of the annuals we have around here and love lobelia as a frothy filler.
    Hope you have a wonderful week- xo Diana

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  10. I love Begonias, I usually have them as house plants, but this year I've decided I can't be bothered with picking up the fallen flowers every half hour so I'm taking a break...I might relent next year though, I do love them!

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  11. I love your flowers. You must have a beautiful garden. I had never heard of a dragon wing begonia before. It's so pretty. Enjoy your week. xoxo,Susie

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  12. This is the first I've heard of dragon wings - beautiful! My favorite annual is sweet peas - I (supposedly) plant them every spring, but I missed this year.

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  13. That red is a beautiful red! So full of life you can feel it.

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  14. This sure looks like a close relative to Angel wing begonia! It it is, I'll bet you could also grow it as a house plant or at least winter it over inside?

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