Plant Care Library

Other Names:  Semperflorens

Group/Class:  Wax Begonia

Brand:  Benary

Description:

Fast and uniform, this strong compact variety is a superb performer in containers, hanging baskets, borders and landscapes; eye catching red flowers nestle on top of glossy rich green foliage; easy to grow and low maintenance

Ornamental Features

Sprint Plus Red Begonia features dainty nodding red orchid-like flowers at the ends of the stems from mid spring to mid fall. Its glossy leaves remain dark green in color with distinctive coppery-bronze edges throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Sprint Plus Red Begonia is an herbaceous annual with a mounded form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects
• Disease

Sprint Plus Red Begonia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting
• Hanging Baskets

Planting & Growing

Sprint Plus Red Begonia will grow to be about 9 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. This annual will normally live for one full growing season, needing replacement the following year.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. You may want to keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Sprint Plus Red Begonia is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.