Two kinds of white
You mostly meet white begonias in two groups. Wax begonias bloom all summer with masses of small flowers, and white forms with bronze leaves make the petals stand out sharply. Tuberous begonias carry large, frilly double blooms, and the compact whites grow to roughly half a metre.
Big flowers and small ones
On a tuberous plant the showy double flower is male. The smaller, simpler flowers beside it are female, and you can tell them by the winged seed case beneath the petals. White makes the difference easy to spot.
Where white works in an Irish garden
White needs partial shade, because afternoon sun scorches the petals and shows brown edges at once. Good spots include:
- the north wall of a terrace or under a porch roof
- between ferns and hostas
- a pair of pots by a front door that is used after dark
- a shaded window box that gets only morning sun
Water at the base and pick off fading flowers promptly. Wet summers can bring grey mould on white petals, so give pots space for air to move.
Pets and children
Begonias are on the ASPCA toxic list for dogs, cats and horses; the trouble comes from oxalate crystals, mostly in the tubers and roots. Dogs and cats may vomit and drool, while kidney failure is a risk for grazing animals. If an animal has eaten some, ring your vet.
