PlantFiles: Sutherland's Begonia
Begonia sutherlandii

Hardier than listed here, it can actually survive my 9a zone with 17º winter temps. Prefers cooler temps and will pout in too much heat.

I purchase two plants with no expectations they'd winter over.
Three years later I can say that one did exceptionally well, and the other became a soil amendment. The one that survived is under a Douglas Fir, in shade with dappled light, with some protection (rocks and other plants). The one that died was in poor soil, and not as protected from the elements. It make a nice addition to the shade garden.

I purchased this plant more than five years ago and in the fall, when its leaves began to turn yellow, I cut them off and put the pot in my garage, promptly forgetting about it. The next spring when I was cleaning out the garage I noticed signs of growth in the pot so I took it outside, watered it, and it sprang back to life. I have been doing this every year (now fertilizing it when I bring it out) with excellent results. It is a beautiful addition to my shade garden in a hanging basket.

Edgewood, Washington
I purchased this plant in a 2 inch pot about 5 years ago from Heronwood Nursery. It is still performing. It has been a great surprise that it keeps coming back year after year. I have one that I keep in the greenhouse as insurance, but those in the ground are still coming up every year and blooming in the raised bed in a protected corner. The plant is slow in showing signs of life in the Spring, but does return. Small leaves and wonderfull orange blossoms, is best as a hanging plant or cascading over a rock wall. It grows from a small tuberous root. Propagate by divison or the small new bulblets it produces on the stems.

This is one beautiful plant. Three yrs ago, I happened upon it at a nursery in the Valley, here in British Columbia. I tried to get it then, but the nursery has since shut down. I have a package of seeds which I found in New Zealand.

A small tuberous begonia from South Africa.

Has light green, toothed, typically begonia shaped leaves with red veins. Bears single orange flowers for a long period of time.

Flowers June-October

Likes a dryish, poor, well drained, neutral to acid soil. It is hardy down to freezing point.

Has a trailing habit and is great in a single species hanging basket.