Nonstop® Red Begonia

Light Needs

Full Shade to Partial Shade

(0 - 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

8-12 Inches

Mature Spread

12-16 Inches

For constant color that blazes like a beacon in the shade, look to Nonstop Red Begonia, who can’t wait to live up to its name. With (no surprise) classic red double flowers and dark green foliage, it blooms from summer through fall without deadheading. A tuberous begonia hybrid (Begonia x tuberhybrida). Crammed with flowers, it tops out at approximately one foot high.

Nonstop begonias make great container or garden subjects in part to full shade; you will see stronger flowering in part shade. You can use them anywhere you might have used traditional impatiens, which can be harder to find these days due to a blight that afflicted crops recently. In a pot, they make a perfect upright filler in a combination, or they can be the star of the show. In a border, they’d make a striking edging. This plant is tolerant of some heat, so would be appropriate in scorching summers given enough shade and moisture.

Nonstop® Red Begonia Care

Given their preferred conditions, Nonstop Reds are easy-care plants. They like average moisture, neither soaking or dusty dry.

Like other tuberous begonias, they are at risk for powdery mildew, which while rarely fatal, does disfigure the leaves in a greyish-white dust. The fungi that produce the disease overwinter in debris and move to its particular host plants (such as grape, linden tree, roses, elm, catalpa, and others) by rain splashing, insects, and wind. You can look for new mildew-resistant cultivars of these plants, or clean up fallen foliage of existing plants.

Powdery mildew thrives in warm and dry climates, especially in crowded gardens where air circulation is low. Humidity is not a requirement for germination, but can make the condition worse. Young new growth is especially susceptible.

To protect your begonias:

  -Skip high-nitrogen fertilizer, especially mid-season to limit production of new leaf growth.

  -Water the soil rather than the leaves to lower humidity

If infection occurs:

  -Remove and destroy affected leaves as soon as possible.

  -Chemical control options include: sulfur, neem oil, and potassium bicarbonate.

At the end of the season, tubers can be stored for replanting in spring. Before frost hits, cut back stems and dig tubers. Wash soil off completely and allow it to dry well. Label, wrap in newspaper or pack in peat moss. Store in a dark, cool place (35 to 45 degrees F); do not allow it to freeze or get warm enough to break dormancy.

Nonstop® Red Begonia Spacing

Space your begonias 12-16 inches apart; that mimics their approximate spread. It’s better to err on the wider side to promote healthy air circulation and prevent powdery mildew. As mentioned above, they grow eight to 12 inches high.

SKU:

BEGRNP