Blooming Begonias with Giant Round Leaves

Begonias are one of those exotic plants that grow easily in West Central Florida. I've been gifted with a few varieties over the years that I plant as filler among layers of Florida-Friendly foliage throughout my garden. My attention has been on the conditions they needed to thrive without giving much thought to each varieties specific identification. 

Begonias bloom luscious, long lasting flowers to rival any perennial. Most are sensitive to frost, but in my garden protection is provided by overhanging mature oak trees. I leave them to the elements all year long.

The ginormous round leaves would be sufficient reason to grow this one. The stunning white clusters of flowers borne on tall scapes above the unique foliage are show-stoppers from mid-winter through spring.

Susan, from Simply Susan gave me a single plant several years ago that I believe she called Luna Begonia. The rhizome it grows on produced more plants each year following that I divide and transplant to increase their number. I bought another one at Just Fruits and Exotics in Tallahassee (one of my favorite garden centers ever) that was marked Begonia 'Rotundifolia' and yet looked exactly like the gift from Susan.

I'm confused. Internet research turns up images of Begonia nelumbiifolia that look exactly like these. So is this Begonia rotundifolia, nelumbiifolia or something else entirely? Gosh, it's nice to know the proper name for plants in our gardens isn't it! But honestly, I get so much pleasure from these prolific bloomers and the distinct foliage I guess its proper name is secondary to the fact that it thrives happily in my garden.

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Fragrance in White

Take a seat on the edge of my Circle Garden and sip a slow cup of coffee or your drink of preference. It's the perfect spot to pause and take in a peaceful cool morning or find shade-relief from a sunny afternoon or rest in the evening from the toils of the day.

This time of year Gardenias are blooming on the 'Miami Supreme' standard shrub nearby. A few more feet away Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) clambers up and over the arbor that leads to the butterfly garden. Providing shade all year long is the sweet almond bush (Aloysia virgata) trained to a multi-trunked tree that now towers 15 feet above.

Across the way the mature Southern Magnolia Grandiflora is refreshing the air with its giant lemony scented luscious flowers.

Spring is here and with it comes abundant white blooms and fragrance. Drink it in and don't miss a minute!
Meems
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