Other Names:  Polka Dot Begonia, Clown Begonia

Description:

A beautiful and fun variety featuring deep green foliage with eye-catching white spots and stunning red undersides; white blooms with hints of shell pink are produced throughout the season; grows well in humid conditions; great for both indoors and out

Ornamental Features

Spotted Begonia features dainty clusters of fragrant white star-shaped flowers with shell pink overtones and gold centers at the ends of the branches from mid spring to mid summer. It has attractive white-spotted dark green foliage. The tiny glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Spotted Begonia is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Spotted Begonia is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Spotted Begonia will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 inches. It has a low canopy. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub does best in a location that gets morning sunlight but is shaded from the hot afternoon sun, although it will also grow in partial shade. Keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America.

Spotted Begonia makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.