Many people think of bright and sunny landscapes filled with vibrant blooms when gardening. However, not all gardens receive abundant sunshine. In fact, some garden spaces are shaded by trees, buildings, or fences for most of the day. For these shady parts of your yard, you should know what plants and flowers do well in the shade.
However, a garden in the shade doesn’t mean it can’t be lovely and full of life. Shade-loving flowers are perfect for creating a flourishing garden even when sunlight is limited.
Begonias are beautiful flowering plants that come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. With over 1800 species, there is a begonia for virtually every garden situation. One of the most common questions gardeners have is whether begonias can be grown in the shade. The short answer is yes! Many begonia varieties thrive in shady locations.
An Overview of Begonia Types
There are three main groups of begonias
-
Tuberous begonias – These begonias grow from tubers and produce some of the largest and brightest flowers of any shade plants. The flowers come in colors like red, pink, white, yellow, and orange. Tuberous begonias need shade protection, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
-
Wax begonias – Also known as fibrous begonias these plants have smaller clustered flowers. Wax begonias are one of the most versatile tolerating both shade and some sunlight. Those with darker leaves can handle more sun.
-
Rex begonias – Grown for their colorful and striking foliage, Rex begonia flowers are rather insignificant. The beautifully patterned leaves come in shades of green, red, silver, pink, and purple. Rex begonias thrive in shade and humid conditions.
Why Begonias Make Great Shade Plants
There are several reasons why begonias perform so well in shady garden locations:
-
Begonias originate from tropical regions, so they are adapted to growing in the shelter of larger plants and trees. Dappled sunlight or bright shade mimics their natural environment.
-
The leaves of many begonia varieties have iridescent qualities that allow them to maximize whatever light is available in shady conditions
-
Begonias need less intense light to bloom freely, compared to many other flowering plants. Shade reduces the chance of stressed, wilting leaves.
-
High humidity is ideal for begonias. Shaded areas often have higher humidity than locations with blazing sun exposure.
-
Begonias require less watering and thrive in the moist soils typical of shady gardens. Overwatering in full sun often leads to root rot.
Growing Begonias in Shade
When planting begonias in a shady garden spot, follow these tips for success:
-
Select begonia varieties suited for shade. Check plant tags or descriptions to be sure your variety can handle low light. Rex, tuberous, and wax begonias are all good choices.
-
Give begonias rich, organic soil that retains moisture. Compost and peat moss create an ideal growing medium. Mulch to keep soil evenly moist.
-
Water begonias when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Avoid wetting foliage, which can promote diseases like powdery mildew. Drip irrigation works well.
-
Shelter begonias from hot afternoon sun. A few hours of early morning sun is often tolerated, but afternoon exposure leads to leaf scorch.
-
Choose faster growing begonias to fill in shade gardens quickly. Wax begonias and the trailing ‘Whopper’ hybrids are quick to establish.
-
Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer or timed-release beads. Avoid overfeeding.
-
Prune back leggy growth and deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flowering. Pinching also thickens growth.
-
Bring containerized begonias indoors before first frost. Most cannot tolerate any freezing temperatures.
Best Begonia Varieties for Shade
Here are some top performing begonia varieties that thrive in shaded garden locations:
Rex Begonias
-
‘Red Tango’ – Deep red foliage with green veins and ruffled leaf edges. Grows 18 inches tall.
-
‘Escargot’ – Unique spiraled foliage in green and silver. Compact at 12 inches tall.
-
‘Jurassic Watermelon’ – Large circular leaves resembling watermelon rinds. Light green with dark green spots.
Wax Begonias
-
‘Big Rose with Green Leaf’ – Extra-large pink blooms on full, mounded plants.
-
‘Queen of Hearts Red’ – Abundant cherry red flowers on bronze-green foliage. Grows 10-12 inches tall.
-
‘Bada Bing Scarlet’ – Prolific bright scarlet blooms bloom all season. Mounded habit to 15 inches.
Tuberous Begonias
-
‘Nonstop Joy Yellow’ – Massive semi-double yellow blooms on 12 inch plants. The best yellow variety.
-
‘On Top Cherry Blossom’ – Beautiful double pink flowers resemble carnations. Grows 14-20 inches tall.
-
‘Nonstop Mocca White’ – Handsome foliage with large white blooms tinged in pink. Grows to 18 inches.
Trailing/Cascade Begonias
-
‘Dragon Wing Red’ – Fiery red flowers bloom all season on trailing stems. Grows 12-15 inches.
-
‘Whopper Rose with Bronze Leaf’ – Prolific large pink blooms on cascading plants. Heat and drought tolerant.
-
‘Big Cascade White’ – Trailing basket-type with abundant pure white blooms. Grows 18-24 inches.
Combining Begonias with Other Shade Plants
Begonias pair beautifully with other plants that share their preference for shaded conditions. Combining begonias with these shade-loving annuals and perennials creates stunning displays:
- Coleus
- Impatiens
- Fuchsia
- Torenia
- Caladium
- Heuchera
- Hosta
- Astilbe
- Coral Bells
- Lily of the Valley
- Aquilegia
- Ferns
- Beads
- Moss
- Ivy
With their dazzling diversity of flower colors and foliage effects, begonias are a top choice for brightening up the shadiest corners of any garden. Follow the tips above to successfully grow begonias in shade and enjoy their gorgeous blooms all season long.
Description & Characteristics of Columbines
Columbine (Aquilegia) is a genus of about 60-70 perennial plants native to North America.
They are part of the Ranunculaceae family and can grow up to 2 feet tall. Columbine flowers typically bloom from late spring to early summer, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies with their nectar.
Columbines are one of a kind because their petals have spurs that stick out from behind the flower head and look like little horns or spurs. These spurs provide a landing platform for bees and other pollinators.
Bring Colorado’s State Flower, the Blue Columbine, to your garden with these seeds. Our Blue Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea) seeds will turn your garden into a peaceful mountain meadow. Native to the Rocky Mountains, these beautiful perennials are… read more.
Where should I plant my shade-loving flowers?
You can put these plants in your garden anywhere that doesn’t get direct sunlight, like under trees or on the north side of buildings.
Do begonias like sun or shade?
FAQ
Will begonias grow in full shade?
How much sun does a begonia need?
Do begonias do better in pots or in the ground?
Do begonias like shade or sun hanging baskets?
Can begonias grow in partial shade?
On the other hand, partial shade can cause the leaves to become too green and the plant may not flower as much. If you are growing begonias outdoors, it is best to provide them with partial shade. This can be achieved by planting them under trees or in areas that receive dappled sunlight.
What is a Begonia plant?
Begonia is a semi-tropical or tropical ornamental plant grown for its attractive flowers and brightly colored leaves. Long a staple bedding plant for shade gardens, it is versatile when used in beds, borders, mass plantings, containers and as indoor houseplants.
Do rhizomatous begonias grow in shade?
The morning sun is gentler than the afternoon sun. For a lot of begonia varieties, morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. Rhizomatous begonias perform just fine in shaded environments. The big tuberous begonia varieties actually do not bloom very much in full shade.
Are begonias annuals or perennials?
Begonias are perennial in frost-free regions and annual in colder climates unless they are brought indoors for the winter. Begonias sun or shade? Begonias are tolerant of a range of light conditions, from full sun to shade. In colder climates, plants can tolerate more light.