Thursday, September 10, 2015

Angel Wing Begonia

This lovely Angel Wing Begonia was growing in a one gallon pot when we moved here, more than 30 years ago. It has survived a freeze or two, and lived in deep shade as  the ten foot tall and eight foot wide ivy grew over it. I wrote about our $6,000 ivy and old rotted fence removal and new redwood fence project in an earlier post. The fence you see in these photos is our new fence. Now the begonia is liberated and in part sun on our patio. I know it is probably 40 years old and I have never repotted it.
It was shining as it caught the sun which is why I took these photos. The colors of the leaves are more red, a darker red, than these show, and it gets tiny red flowers.The leaves are green on top with spots of light grey, and red on the back, with the red also showing. In many areas with colder winters they are grown as house plants.
Below are photos of the green leaves when they are not illuminated by the sun, and of the red flowers. The plant to the left is an African Basil which in its second year has grown tall.

This type of begonia is sometimes called cane begonia and I read you can make starts by cutting a bit of the cane and putting it in water until it roots. I want to try that. Angel wing begonia is suited to grow outdoors in zones 10-11, but it has grown here in zone 8 for 40 years, with no special pampering. It requires filtered sunlight or the leaves with scorch and do not over water.


29 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

That is one beautiful and long-lived begonia. A real survivor.

20 North Ora said...

Terra - That kind of begonia is one of my very favorites. Yours looks great.

Judy

Linda Kay said...

I've never heard of a begonia living so long. I am trying to start one off of an existing plant. We'll see.

Inger said...

That begonia has lived a very long life. No doubt because you have taken such good care of it.

Nancy said...

So beautiful. The pink is such an incredible shade....

Linda said...

Such beautiful and unusual plants!!! I can only grow really hardy stuff! Intense sun in the front and lots of shade in the back! Unfortunately, I managed to kill the ivy Louis Dean had for over 40 years! I am not proud of that!

Michelle said...

That is a beautiful begonia. I killed the last one I had :(

Susan said...

Gorgeous begonia, Terra. Just a beauty. Susan

Mari said...

What a pretty begonia! I don't think that variety grows here.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Pretty plant and easy to root! I hope your Ivy around the fence is under control:)

Denise said...

wow, beyond beautiful.

Sweet Tea said...

So pretty! It must "feel the love & appreciation" you have for it. Long live the beautiful begonia!

Blondie's Journal said...

I know you treasure this gorgeous plant, Terra. It's strong and beautiful!

Jane x

Delvalina said...

40 years?! What an amazing flower! Love how you described about this beautiful flower. I never seen this before :)

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I love this type of begonia. I have one that I have brought in the house the past three years in the winter (zone 6). It always surprises me that after five months of benign neglect, it pops back to life and brightens up my garden.

Margaret D said...

My that is old for a begonia. Congratulations to you for looking after it so well.
Great way to make more begonias, putting pieces in water and watching the roots appear and grow. Good luck with that...it's easy. :)

a joyful noise said...

Loved your Angel Wings Begonia. Apparently it is happy with its soil and surroundings including your new fence. :-)

Laurie said...

I love begonia's, living in zone 5 this one wouldn't survive here. So pretty! You really have a green thumb Terra!

Patty said...

I'm going to have to ask Abe to plant one for me. Angel Wings, such a pretty name and the plant is beautiful.

Art and Sand said...

I am not familiar with this begonia. I wonder if it will grow in my area?

BumbleVee said...

Well, I guess if I grow one it has to be indoors....we're barely a zone 3 .... sigh..............

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful plants.

Thanks for sharing and for stopping by my blog.

Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
http://silversolara.blogspot.com

NanaNor's said...

What a beautiful Begonia. We used to have many big Begonia's when we lived in Ca. but here we don't get them because of the extreme cold. Hope you aren't being impacted by the smoke from the valley fire.
Hugs, Noreen

sandy said...

wow, i'm amazed that it is that old. It must Love you very much to have survived that long and look so good. I bet the sun feels good on its' old leaves. Beautiful photos.

Lin from A {tiny} Cottage In The Woods said...

Very pretty. I know it won't grow here, but I sure enjoyed seeing your photos!
xo,
Lin

Debbie said...

Beautiful plants, gorgeous light!!

Red Rose Alley said...

The angel wing begonia is so pretty, Terra. I've never seen that before. It does look like angel wings. Let's keep our fingers crossed for some rain this year. :)

~Sheri

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I love them. I had no idea they were angel wings, how cool is that!

Diane Writes said...

Terra! Your angel wings are so pretty. They can make as nice postcards. More than its physical beauty, it has its own meaningful story behind it.