Begonia (Begonia 'Bepared' DRAGON WING RED)
Versatile Begonia 'Bepared' DRAGON WING RED thrives in shade, offering continuous red blooms with low maintenance, perfect for humid summers.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Begonia ‘Bepared’ DRAGON WING RED is a highly valued, compact F1 hybrid renowned for its exceptional performance in challenging summer conditions. This outstanding Begonia cultivar features glossy, angelwing-like green foliage contrasted against an abundant display of large, drooping scarlet flowers that persist from May until the first frost. Gardeners appreciate this specific Begonia for its reliably low maintenance needs and superior tolerance for heat and humidity.
As an herbaceous perennial, Begonia ‘Bepared’ DRAGON WING RED is typically grown as a superb annual substitute in most climates, offering season-long color where many other shade lovers struggle. It creates dense mounds of semi-trailing stems, making it an excellent focal point in shaded landscapes. Choosing this dependable Begonia ensures vibrant red color and reliable growth throughout the warmest months.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Begoniaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: May to frost
- Bloom Description: Red
- Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Begonia ‘Bepared’ DRAGON WING RED after all danger of frost has passed, achieving best results in average to moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil. While this Begonia is adaptable to full sun, it generally appreciates afternoon shade, especially in hotter regions like St. Louis, performing best in part shade to full shade conditions. Consistent moisture is key throughout the active growing season, although the plant exhibits tolerance to short periods of drought.
Maintenance for this Begonia is considered low. Ensure plants receive regular but not excessive watering, allowing the top inch of soil to slightly dry between waterings. Begonias appreciate regular feeding during the flowering season to maintain continuous blooms. Deadheading is generally not required as the spent flowers naturally drop cleanly.
Because this plant is a frost-tender perennial, gardeners in cooler zones can overwinter container-grown specimens. Cut back plants in the fall and store them indoors in a cool location, reducing watering significantly. While propagation from seed is possible, it is challenging due to the seed’s small size; taking cuttings from overwintered plants offers a simpler route to retaining preferred stock.
Landscape Uses
Begonia ‘Bepared’ DRAGON WING RED excels in locations needing reliable, long-lasting color under filtered light. Its compact, bushy habit makes it an ideal choice for filling seasonal bedding areas, acting as a vibrant accent plant in shade gardens, or softening hard edges as edging material.
The semi-trailing nature of this specific Begonia also makes it highly effective when used in containers, window boxes, and especially hanging baskets where the cascading scarlet flowers can be prominently displayed. Pair the rich red flowers of this Begonia with silver-leafed foliage plants or deep purple coleus for high-contrast designs within shaded displays.
This cane-like Begonia hybrid provides excellent vertical texture that complements lower-growing groundcovers in woodland or shaded borders. Its dependable bloom schedule ensures that the planting scheme maintains visual interest from spring right through to the first hard freeze.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Begonia is a genus boasting approximately 1,300 species, encompassing annuals, perennials, shrubs, and climbers, many featuring fleshy stems and grown for their flowers or distinct foliage. The DRAGOON WING RED cultivar is a compact F1 hybrid begonia characterized by its signature features: angelwing-like, shiny green leaves and large, drooping scarlet flowers. It forms a bushy, fibrous-rooted mound, typically reaching 15 to 18 inches high and wide, making it a superb annual bedding plant for consistently shaded landscapes.
Tolerances
- Heavy Shade
- Dry Soil
- Black Walnut
Potential Problems
The Begonia ‘Bepared’ DRAGON WING RED, while vigorous, can occasionally be targeted by common ornamental pests. Be vigilant for signs of whitefly, thrips, spider mites, and mealybugs; early detection and targeted insecticidal soap applications are the best defense. This Begonia variety is also susceptible to fungal issues like powdery mildew, botrytis, and stem rot, particularly when air circulation is poor or humidity is excessive. Providing good airflow around the plants and avoiding overhead watering can significantly mitigate the risk of these fungal diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Begonia ‘Bepared’ DRAGON WING RED suitable for?
This plant is reliably hardy as a perennial in USDA Zones 10 through 11. In cooler regions, it is best treated as a non-hardy annual.
How large does Begonia ‘Bepared’ DRAGON WING RED grow?
This compact Begonia typically reaches a height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, with a similar spread ranging from 1 to 1.5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Begonia ‘Bepared’ DRAGON WING RED need?
For optimal performance and to protect its foliage, aim for part shade to full shade. Afternoon shade is particularly beneficial to prevent scorching during the hottest parts of the day.
When does Begonia ‘Bepared’ DRAGON WING RED bloom?
This prolific bloomer begins flowering early in the season, typically starting in May, and continues producing abundant red flowers continuously until the arrival of frost.
Conclusion
The Begonia ‘Bepared’ DRAGON WING RED stands out as a resilient and colorful staple for shaded garden spaces, delivering continuous bright red blooms with admirably low maintenance. Whether used in containers or as bedding annuals, this specific Begonia offers superior heat tolerance. Before planting, confirm your local frost dates and ensure you can provide the necessary medium water needs to enjoy this spectacular show all season long.
Companion Planting
When planting Begonia ‘Bepared’ DRAGON WING RED, focus on companions that share similar requirements for moisture and shade. Excellent partners include impatiens, hostas, and ferns, which complement the Begonia’s upright form with differing textures. For a vibrant container display, mix the red flowers of the Begonia with silver foliage plants like Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ (Creeping Jenny) or various trailing ivies to enhance contrast.
Design Ideas
This cane-like Begonia thrives when used to provide structure beneath taller canopy trees or along the north side of buildings where light is consistently low. Utilize the 1 to 1.5-foot height range of this cultivar to create a mid-layer in layered shade borders, setting it behind low-growing groundcovers but in front of larger shrubs. Its dense, colorful performance makes it exceptionally well-suited for filling large-scale window boxes, ensuring high visibility even from a distance.
