Dragon wing begonias are a modern-day hybridized version of the angel wing type. Their name comes from the asymmetrical shape of their leaves, which are dark green with silver spots. The old-fashioned angel wing begonias fall into this class. Members of this class typically have fibrous root structures, an upright habit, and segmented stems that are similar in appearance to bamboo. The American Begonia Society divides the Begoniaceae genus into the following eight classes:Ĭane-like: This is one of the more popular classes of begonia. Root structures are another important way to identify species and may be described as fibrous-rooted, rhizomatous, and tuberous. These tropical perennials are generally treated as house plants. A few exceptions include wax-type begonias which are widely used as annual bedding plants in summer gardens, and a hardy variety, which can survive winters as cold as those experienced in Zone 6.īegonias are grouped within a complicated classification system that is based on flowers, method of propagation and foliage. The female has a large inferior ovary and two to four branched or twisted stigmas. In other words, male and female flowers occur separately on the same plant. Of the more than 1,000 members of this genus (not counting the vast numbers of named and unnamed cultivars), the majority of them have one thing in common as shown in the photos below: asymmetrical leaf shapes.īegonias originally came from the tropical and subtropical moist climates of South and Central America, Africa, and southern Asia. Any number of cultivars are available with leaves that are smooth, hairy, spotted, multi-hued, whorled, round, asymmetrical, and even star-shaped. While many begonias bloom in glimmering shades of red, pink, white and more, in many cases the foliage is more interesting than the flowers. My visit to Longwood Gardens that fateful day opened my eyes to the complex world of this large and diverse genus of plants. There’s a vast world of begonias beyond the ones our grandmothers grew. I had been bewitched – by a begonia!īegonias are generally regarded as common, ordinary, old-fashioned house plants. We searched for the plant identification tag. Everything about this plant seemed exotic, yet oddly familiar. Each leaf curled in on itself in sensual whorls of silvery green bands, alternating with deeper hues of forest green. The foliage shimmered ever so slightly in the light. Its graceful, mounded shape draped demurely over the edge of the urn. Fascinated, we approached the plant tentatively, not sure what we were seeing. We were near the end of our tour when we came upon a strange plant that stood apart on a pedestal in the conservatory. As avid gardeners, we deeply appreciated our tour of Longwood and wandered through the gardens amiably discussing the merits of each plant we encountered. I was there at the invitation of a dear friend and fellow plant geek who lives nearby. It was a clear, sunny day some years ago at Longwood Gardens near Philadelphia.

Wax begonia uses