Imagine White Bronze Leaf

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Begoniaceae

Order

Curcubitales

Genus

Begonia

Species

semperflorens

Description

Ornamental herb with compact growth, an upright habit and abundant branching. Easy to manage and maintain, it is used as a landscape plant in flowerbeds, including traffic islands, as a border plant or to decorate terraces and balconies in pots and planters, even in compositions with other species or by combining different varieties to achieve refined colour balances. The luxuriant, prolonged flowering begins in mid-spring and continues until early autumn in a range of colours from white to pink and red. The foliage, green or bronze/reddish depending on the variety, also creates a pleasant scenic effect.

Variety description

Imagine is a glossy dark-leaved, medium compact, medium early series, ideal for potting ø 10-12. It is the b. Semperflorens dark-leaved for large beds. The first two weeks of cultivation must be kept at temperatures above 14°c in the February to mid-March cycles. Later cycles when the days get longer, b. Imagine also tolerates milder temperatures (9-10°c), right from the start. Ideal in flowerbeds, it is famous for its rusticity and moderate water requirements. Because of its great adaptability it can be used in any exposure, from the brightest to the shadiest, always guaranteeing prolonged flowering until mid-autumn.

Curiosities and special features

In English Begonia semperflorens translates as 'always flowering plant' in relation to the prolonged blooms.

Begonias are classified as plants that filter air from pollutants and the leaves and flowers of some Species are also used in culinary applications.

Origin and distribution

The Begonia genus includes herbaceous or semi-woody species native to the tropical and subtropical zones of Africa (Cameroon and South Africa), Asia (China and Sri Lanka) and America (Brazil, Amazonia, Peru); knowledge of where this genus of ornamental plants originates from is important to help us understand some important factors related to their environmental and cultivation requirements.

The term begonia was coined by C. Plumier, the French botanist who first introduced it to the European continent, in honour of M. Begon, the 17th-century governor of the West Indies; the hybrids of B. semperflorens originated from the crossing of South American species such as Begonia cucullata , which arrived at the beginning of the 19th century at the Berlin Botanical Park. Through intensive selection work, many varieties with different vigour of development as well as different colours of leaves and flowers are currently on the market.

Flower size

It has a medium-sized flower compared to other varieties of the same species.

Leaf

The Leaf has a round foil in perfect formal balance with the individual flowers.

Flowering period

It flowers from mid-spring to mid-autumn for a duration of 160 to 180 days. These indications are very useful in order to establish continuous flowering in the garden, alternating species and varieties with variously coloured flowers or foliage throughout the year.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence panicle.

Leaf colour

A plain leaf variety, it offers excellent contrast to the colour tones of the flowers.

Plant height

The plant height varies from 0.22 to 0.28 m, making it suitable for compact, colourful solutions, with which other ornamental species with different heights can be combined to achieve scenic perspective views.

Lifespan

Often cultivated as an annual plant because, depending on the climatic conditions, it may not last long in the low winter temperatures.

Where to plant

Its ideal use is in flowerbeds, terraces, borders.

Stem

The stem is herbaceous; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-sized form with a symmetrical corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in medium-sized panicle-like inflorescences. It flowers from mid-spring to mid-autumn, with a flowering period of 160 to 180 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Variety with medium to vigorous growth, perfect for use in flower beds or planters.

Plant habit

It develops plant habit, allowing proportional compositions with other ornamental species of different heights.

Branching

Branching is abundant, giving the plant a well-tended appearance, rich in leaves and flowers.

PH

The pH of the soil or medium should be kept slightly acidic, approximately between 5.5 and 6.0 in order to achieve the best vegetative Growth and flowering results; pH values above 6.0 can lead to calcium, iron and magnesium deficiencies.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in spring, dig 20/30 cm deep, removing, if present, cumbersome stones, residues of previous crops and weeds, then bury organic or chemical slow-release fertiliser and break up the coarsest clods in order to give greater softness. To improve drainage of excess water by preventing water stagnation, continue by creating a raised flowerbed by slightly bouldering the soil, and finally carefully level the surface.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposures in half shade, bright shade, full sun, afternoon sun. Does not prefer excessively shady locations but prefers afternoon sun; although it also thrives in full sun it can suffer in prolonged conditions of high temperatures if not watered appropriately.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 16 and 20 °C. The biological temperature is between 10 and 38 °C; it is well adapted to hot summer climates.

Use

Due to its vigorous growth and scenic flowering, it is appreciated as a plant in:

Outdoor ornamental Landscaping

Hardiness

A highly hardy plant, it adapts very well to situations often not tolerated by other ornamental species.

Soil

It prefers medium textured, light and well draining soil. A spring plant medium containing peat and perlite is recommended for pots and planters.

Difficulty

Extremely easy to manage cultivation, it is an optimal solution to decorate gardens, terraces and flowerbeds without requiring any particular effort in its maintenance.

Growing tips

To ensure proper vegetative development and lush flowering:

Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Combinations with other plants

It canbe used in flowerbeds or planters in compositions with other ornamentals such as Celosia argentea, Coleus blumei, Dahlia, Impatiens walleriana, Lobularia maritima, Perilla frutescens, Rudbeckia hirta, Salvia farinacea, Senecio cineraria, Verbena; combinations between different varieties belonging to the same species B. semperflorens are also recommended. Colour combinations can include shades of the same colour or an alternation by choosing from the different varieties available, composing designs or patterns according to personal fancy; they can also form patches of colour or simple borders along paths and walls; even in a smaller space such as planters or pots it is possible to place it alternately with plants with green or variegated foliage or by combining, as in the garden, varieties with flowers in different shades.

Planting

For bed planting, the optimum average density is 28 plants per square metre in order to ensure proper development of both the root system and the aerial apparatus, thus achieving a balanced formal composition.

It is also advisable to position the plant in a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, avoiding excessive compression of the root ball and watering immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Propagation

Reproduction can be by apical cuttings.

Watering

A correct irrigation method can play a key role in preventing future fungal diseases and root rot. Watering can be done using rainwater, alternatively from aqueducts with an optimal sub-acidic pH, manually or by irrigation. A useful tip is to allow the soil or substrate to dry out slightly between successive operations, but avoid dry strikes; it is also advisable, after transplanting, to assist the seedling until it develops a suitable root system at its new site. It is also advisable not to water the leaves directly if they are exposed to the sun and to avoid the use of excessively cold water.

Fertilising

For use in flower beds, during pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out a background fertilisation with slow-release organo-mineral fertiliser. After proper establishment in the new planting site, use a specific balanced fertiliser for ornamental flowering plants by applying it to the soil or substrate in the correct doses and manner as indicated on the relevant information label.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Ingestion toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

Imagine is a very heat-resistant variety and can therefore be placed anywhere in the garden. It has good vigour and achieves a final height superior to compact series such as Angy. In the garden, once it has taken root, it is a variety that does not require a lot of water, especially in half-shade positions, or in the sun on heavy soil.