Tuberous begonias are tender and must remain frost free. For an earlier display, start the tubers in temporary pots in a greenhouse or bright, protected place from February to April, then move them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.
Out of season
Deluxe
Trailing Begonia boliviensis 'Santa Cruz' produces masses of large, eye-catching, fiery red-orange blossoms between early summer and late autumn. These blooms are held against large, arrow-shaped, neatly serrated, green leaves. They make elegant cascades of vivid, elongated flowers, perfect for windowboxes and hanging baskets, where you can see the blooms from a lower position, or for any containers where they can hang beautifully over the sides.
Begonia boliviensis 'Santa Cruz' typically grows up to 30-40cm / 12-16" tall and wide. It is also the answer for those gardeners who want begonias that actually like hot and sunny conditions. The ideal soil should be rich, moist and well-drained. Provide good air circulation around plants, but protect them from strong winds. Helpfully, for the time-pressed gardener, this begonia does not require deadheading.
Store your begonia tubers over winter and plant them again next spring to repeat your summer success year after year.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Grow begonias in light shade, protected from harsh winds. They need rich, reliably moist yet free-draining conditions. For containers, use peat-free multipurpose compost and make sure excess water can drain away easily.
Begonia tubers can be planted directly into patio containers or suitable borders in May, once frosts have passed. If planting into a border before shoots appear, mark the position so you know where to water and avoid disturbing the tuber.
Unlike pointed flower bulbs, begonia tubers are rounded with a shallow hollow on top. Plant with the hollow side facing upwards and the rounded side downwards, leaving the top of the tuber around 1–2cm below the soil or compost surface.
Space tubers approximately 15–20cm apart in container displays or 20–30cm apart in borders. This gives the developing plants enough room to form a generous, well-balanced display without becoming overcrowded.
Water after planting, then keep the compost only lightly moist while the tubers remain dormant. Once shoots appear and growth becomes established, water regularly without allowing the soil to become waterlogged or the containers to stand in water.
- Botanical name
- Begonia boliviensis 'Santa Cruz'
- Flower colour
- Coral, orange
- Tuber size
- 24/28
- Established height
- 30-50cm
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
- Trailing
- Hardiness
- Tender
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 9 tubers per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- No
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Multipurpose compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Baskets
Exotic gardens
Borders
Large containers
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Partial shade
Dappled shade
Full sun - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1st year
Perfect for pots
Great for shade
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Packed in paper
Needs winter protection
Low maintenance
Trailing habit
-20%
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Begonia 'Santa Cruz' reviews
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