Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 9b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | orange |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | mounded |
| Mature height | 12 inches |
| Spread | 10 inches |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | moist |
| Plant origin | hybrid |
Brigitte Begonia
Botanical name: Begonia x hiemalis ‘Brigitte’
A beautifully mounded selection that presents peach-orange double blooms above dark green, heart shaped foliage; excellent performance in hanging baskets, patio continuers or garden beds; season long blooming; deadhead to encourage new blooms.
Other names: Hiemalis Begonia
Ornamental Features
Brigitte Begonia features dainty orange orchid-like flowers with peach overtones at the ends of the stems from mid spring to mid fall. Its succulent heart-shaped leaves remain green in color throughout the year. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Landscape Attributes
Brigitte Begonia is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a mounded form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Insects, Disease
Brigitte Begonia is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Container Planting, Hanging Baskets
Planting and Growing
Brigitte Begonia will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 8 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. The flower stalks can be weak and so it may require staking in exposed sites or excessively rich soils. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 3 years.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Brigitte Begonia is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
