Wax begonia (Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum 'Harmony Scarlet')
Vibrant Wax begonia, Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum 'Harmony Scarlet', offers dark leaves and reliable red blooms. Perfect for beds and containers in hot climates.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum ‘Harmony Scarlet’ is a highly valued member of the group commonly known as wax begonias due to their distinctive, waxy foliage. This compact, bushy hybrid selection is prized for its uniform mounding habit and continuous display of vibrant red flowers from May through September. It delivers consistent color in garden beds and containers where many other annuals might falter.
These fibrous-rooted plants feature fleshy stems and glossy leaves, offering visual texture even when not in heavy bloom. While technically a tender perennial hardy in USDA Zones 10-11, the Wax begonia is widely grown as a reliable annual across cooler regions, cherished for its excellent tolerance to hot and humid summer conditions.
For gardeners seeking dependable bedding plants, Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum ‘Harmony Scarlet’ provides low-fuss beauty. Its dense structure makes it an excellent choice for edging and mass plantings, ensuring that gardens remain colorful throughout the hottest parts of the growing season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Begoniaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Spread: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Bloom Time: May to September
- Bloom Description: Red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting should occur only after all danger of frost has passed, as these plants are sensitive to cold. The ideal location provides average to moderately fertile, moist, yet well-drained soil. While Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum ‘Harmony Scarlet’ tolerates full sun, it generally prefers sun-dappled, part shade, especially in intense summer climates, where a good mulch will help retain soil moisture.
Consistent moisture is key throughout the growing season, though the plant’s naturally thick, waxy leaves offer some drought tolerance between waterings. Space plants adequately—about 8” for dwarf types—to ensure good air circulation, which is crucial for minimizing potential fungal development.
For northern gardeners growing this as an annual, starter plants should be purchased or seeds started indoors 6–8 weeks before the last expected frost. If you wish to save your Wax begonia specimens, container plants can be brought indoors in the fall, kept in a cool location with reduced watering to overwinter.
Landscape Uses
Wax begonias, including the striking ‘Harmony Scarlet’ cultivar, excel as dependable bedding plants. They are perfectly suited for mass plantings in landscape beds where they create a dense carpet of color throughout the summer. Their compact, mounding growth habit makes them superb for use as an edger along walkways or defining garden borders.
Their suitability for both containers and window boxes allows for portable bursts of deep red color near patios or entryways. Unlike some summer bloomers, these plants maintain their form and color consistency, making them excellent companions for taller focal plants or fillers beneath taller shrubs.
Consider pairing Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum ‘Harmony Scarlet’ with foliage contrast, such as silver-leaved dusty miller or dark coleus varieties, to make the red flowers truly pop. Their consistent performance ensures borders are tidy and low-maintenance from spring planting until the first hard frost.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum is a name applied to a group of cultivated, hybrid begonias commonly called wax begonias. These are compact, bushy, mounded, fibrous-rooted plants that feature fleshy stems, waxy dark green to bronze leaves and loose clusters of single or double flowers. The flowers come in shades and bicolor combinations of white, pink or red. Blooms reliably throughout the growing season. The common name wax begonia refers to the waxy texture and appearance of the leaves. ‘Harmony Scarlet’ is a hybrid wax begonia selection that features dark leaves, red flowers, and a compact, mounding habit. Mature plants will reach up to 8” tall with a similar spread.
Tolerances
No specific tolerances listed beyond general cultural preferences.
Potential Problems
Wax begonias, including the Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum ‘Harmony Scarlet’, are susceptible to fungal issues like powdery mildew, botrytis, and stem rot, particularly when humidity is high and air circulation is poor. Good spacing during planting is the best preventative measure.
Gardeners should also monitor for common pests such as mealybugs and thrips, especially on indoor overwintered plants or those established in dense plantings. Quick identification and treatment with insecticidal soap can manage these minor infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Wax begonia suitable for?
The Wax begonia, suitable for use as an annual in many areas, is winter hardy only in USDA Zones 10 and 11.
How large does Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum ‘Harmony Scarlet’ grow?
This compact hybrid typically reaches heights between 0.5 and 0.75 feet tall, with a spread of 0.5 to 0.75 feet.
What sun exposure does Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum ‘Harmony Scarlet’ need?
This plant performs best in full sun to part shade conditions, though it appreciates sun-dappled shade during the hottest part of the summer.
When does Wax begonia bloom?
Wax begonia produces reliable red blooms throughout the season, generally from May to September.
Conclusion
The Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum ‘Harmony Scarlet’ offers gardeners an exceptional combination of heat resilience and continuous, vibrant red color, making it a cornerstone modern bedding plant. Ensure you check local hardiness zones before planting outside permanently, or plan ahead to overwinter your favorite Wax begonia specimens indoors. This dependable hybrid guarantees lasting summer saturation.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate companions for Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum ‘Harmony Scarlet’ is simply a matter of matching light and water needs. Since this Wax begonia thrives in medium moisture and tolerates sun or part shade, pair it with other summer lovers that share these requirements. Coleus varieties with fine textures and contrasting dark or lime-green foliage are excellent partners, as they thrive in similar partial shade conditions.
For sunny borders, consider combining the mounding habit of the ‘Harmony Scarlet’ with shorter varieties of impatiens that tolerate more sun, or perhaps beneath taller, dark-leafed dahlias. The fleshy leaves of the Begonia provide a sturdy, low base layer that remains attractive even when companion plants are taller or more sprawling.
Design Ideas for Bedding Displays
When using Begonia × semperflorens-cultorum ‘Harmony Scarlet’ in formal bedding designs, maintain strict geometric spacing (8–12 inches apart) to maximize air flow and ensure uniformity. Planting these deep red mounds in repeating blocks creates a strong visual impact across large areas. They are unmatched as uniform edgers where a neat, defined line is required.
For container designs, use the ‘Harmony Scarlet’ as a “filler” plant surrounding a central upright “thriller.” Its compact size and non-aggressive growth pattern allow it to fill space without overshadowing either the thriller or the spilling “spiller” plants, providing robust color contrast all season long.
