Begonia emeienis - a new love

My love of begonias is well documented.  There are so many different types of begonia is it hard not to find one not to love; and once I started looking I realised there were many, many that I loved.  So when a friend told me they were putting together a plant order and did I want anything including I was soon checking out the Pan Global Plants website where a begonia or two wiggled their foliage at me.  

I know that at this time of year when buying plants what will often arrive is what can look like a fairly empty plant pot.  Thus it was when the Begonia emeienis arrived.  I also know that patience is the core strength of gardeners so I gave the pot some water and popped it into the conservatory to see out the rest of the Winter.  

This begonia is allegedly quite hardy, but on the day it arrived it was due to go down to -5 so I was not risking leaving the plant outside.  A bit of coddling seemed a good ploy as I was hoping to see it grow in the Spring.  This is very much a foliage begonia as it has huge leaves and is perfect for a shady spot.  I have a shady spot or three and I know where I want to plant it out.  The description also says it has large pink flowers - bonus!

I was not expecting much from this plant in a hurry so I was very surprised when I looked in the conservatory the other day and there were well progressed signs of unfurling.  I do love a bit of unfurling.

There is something almost reptilian the way the new growth pushes up and out of the compost, they have the look of webbed feet about them.  When I look at begonia stems they always seem like barely contained water to me.  They are fleshy and snap with a water-filled snap.  They look like they should not be able to hold the weight of their foliage, but they can and they do.

I am really looking forward to seeing how this begonia will develop.  I will plant it out into the garden once the frosts are over so that it has time to put down roots before the next Winter.  I will report back on progress.

Wait a minute, I hear you say, did you say you bought two begonias?  Yes I did, more of t'other one another day.....

Until next time.....

Take care and be kind.

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