Rex Begonias

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Earlier this summer, I visited a garden and fell in love with the Rex Begonias I saw! They were outside in the shade, huge pots of them, all with showy, over the top, enormous leaves! Some had this spiral form to the leaf that was just beyond! I fell in love! I've since started a little collection of my own. I keep searching for spirals, might just have to resort to a catalog. The tiny ones in front are a hanging variety from a friends plant that I'm just starting off. The lime one in the back isn't a begonia (a zig-zag plant)! and the hairy one on the left is the new doodle variety!

Do any of you have rex begonias? I'll have to bring them indoors eventually, but it'll winter me over before I can get outside in the Spring and garden again! : )

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think all the begonias I have at the moment are tuberous begonias. some will make it through the winter, they are all on my porch now, and some won't. C'est la vie.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Yes, I don't think mine will be as happy indoors,  but we'll give it a try!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Sometimes I am thrilled to see something demise - so I can plan to replace it in the spring!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I have always love rex begonias but never grown them.  When I had some beneficial shade I had no place to winter them over.  When I had a sun room the yard provided no shade in the summer. They are so beautiful. Now with a greenhouse coming soon I may try to grow some.  Whoops, I am filling up the greenhouse before it is erected.  : )

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I think the time has come Anne! I have thought of your greenhouse, especially this time of year when the cold weather is coming. I'll have to live the dream through you! How is it coming along?

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

It's slowed down due to much needed rain.  It's going to take awhile but I am patient.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I will have to be patient with you! lol

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I have a Rex and it HAD gorgeous flowers on it while in the pot.  Two weeks ago, I decided to transplant some of my plants from the pots into the perennial beds and flower garden.  I put the Rex in the shade garden, and the nighttime temps have been very cool low 40s.  It is not happy.  No more flowers!  This morning when I took the boys outside, I dug it back up and put it in a pot - "he" will be spending the winter in our master bath (we have a huge jet tub that I need to put an exercise ball behind me when I use it in order to not drown!)  Neither of us ever use it - It has a huge textured window above it, so great place for my Rex and my Bougainvillea to winter over.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Sounds like a good place to overwinter plants  It should also help with winter dryness.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I agree.  When we built our retirement home 8 years ago, I never would have dreamed we would use the master bath for a greenhouse!! Haha 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Great idea.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Linda, looks like we speak the same begonia language! lol Don't you just love those swirls?! Yours is gorgeous! Your nights are getting very cool! I'm sure we'll be there soon enough although today felt hot and steamy and with the rain we got the plants are very happy still! My master bath sounds just like yours with the huge tub and window, I may just put my plants in there too, it'd be a great spot! Thanks for sharing!