Begonia grandis evansiana - Hardy Begonia

Family:	Begoniaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:	B. evansiana. Andr.
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas(Malaya).

Begonia grandis evansiana (Hardy Begonia) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Hardy Begonia will flower in January to February. The flowers from this plant are monoecious (both sexes are found on the plant but each flower is either male or female) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Hardy Begonia will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Hardy Begonia prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Shady slopes or wet places[147].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds

Cultivation Details

Requires a well-drained soil[200]. Does not require high light intensities[200], succeeding in full sun or partial shade[233]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[200]. Plants tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c, and can be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country if given the shelter of a wall[200]. This same report gives the plant a hardiness zone rating of 6 (tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c)[200]. Grows well outdoors in Cornwall amongst trees and shrubs[166]. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The tuberous roots and fruits are anodyne, antiphlogistic and antispasmodic. Stimulates blood circulation[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of traumatic pain, haematemesis, gonorrhoea, post-partum vaginal discharge, amenorrhoea and snakebites[147].

• Anodyne - Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
• Antiphlogistic - Reduces inflammation.
• Antispasmodic - Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse and keep the compost moist in a light position. The seed can be very slow to germinate, sometimes taking a year or more[134]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division. Basal cuttings from tubers in spring. Bulblets, formed in the leaf axils. Harvest in the autumn and store overwinter in a cool frost-free place, plant out in spring[200].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

This species can be grown as a ground cover in a sunny position sheltered by shrubs. The plants form spreading clumps[208].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Flora of Japan

Author:
Rating: www.foj.info
Publisher : An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource.
Date of Publication : 0

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