Trailing begonia for hanging baskets

Trailing begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida ‘Double Pendula Apricot’)

Begonia × tuberhybrida

‘Double Pendula Apricot’ is a trailing tuberous begonia producing double salmon-apricot flowers throughout summer above green asymmetrical foliage. Van Noort supplies one size 6/+ tuber, which develops into a plant about 30 cm (12 in) high and 20 cm (8 in) wide. Its floral cascade suits hanging baskets, window boxes, and urns placed in bright partial shade. The growing mix should be fertile, airy, evenly moist, and sharply drained. Not hardy through Canadian winters, the tuber must be lifted or removed from its pot before frost and stored dry near 7°C, ready to restart near the end of winter.
5 99 $
Pay in 4 interest-free payments with Sezzle
Detailed plant guide
Advice adapted to Canada
Secure payment
Share
Quantity 1 tuber
Exposure Partial shade
Hardiness Zones 9 to 11; store the tuber frost-free in Canada
Difficulty level Moderate

Discover the plant

Family Begoniaceae
Genus Begonia
Species × tuberhybrida
Cultivar Double Pendula Apricot
Type Size 6/+ tuber
Cycle Tender perennial grown as an annual

Trailing begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida ‘Double Pendula Apricot’) produces a cascade of double salmon-apricot flowers on flexible stems surrounded by asymmetrical green leaves. Its trailing habit naturally displays the blooms in an elevated planter or hanging basket. Van Noort supplies one size 6/+ tuber that develops into a plant about 30 cm (12 in) high and 20 cm (8 in) wide. Flowering continues from summer until the first frost. A tender perennial in Zones 9 to 11, this begonia must be brought indoors or have its tuber stored frost-free during a Canadian winter.

Start the tuber indoors eight to twelve weeks before the last frost in a light growing mix at approximately 15 to 18°C. Set the hollow side upward and cover it only lightly; water must never collect in the depression. Increase watering after shoots appear, then harden the plant gradually before moving it outside when nights remain mild. Choose bright partial shade protected from scorching sun and strong wind. Keep the mix evenly moist, feed regularly at a light rate, and provide excellent air movement without repeatedly wetting the foliage or crown.

This begonia excels in hanging baskets, window boxes, urns, and containers positioned beneath a porch or in a bright courtyard. Pair its salmon-apricot flowers with silver, lime-green, or bronze foliage such as dichondra, coleus, and creeping Jenny while matching their water and light needs. Double blooms are strictly ornamental and should not be eaten; the tuber and plant tissues contain irritating oxalates. Before frost, reduce watering, allow foliage to decline, dry the tuber, and store it near 7°C in a dark, dry, ventilated place until growth is restarted near the end of winter.

Trailing begonia (<em>Begonia × tuberhybrida</em> ‘Double Pendula Apricot’)

Planting guide

From planting to establishment.

Planting depth Set the tuber hollow side upward and cover with 10 to 20 mm (0.4 to 0.8 in) of mix
Spacing / density 1 tuber per 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 in) basket; 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) between plants
Establishment temperature 15 to 18°C for shoot development
Establishment time 21 to 42 days
Best planting time Eight to twelve weeks before the last frost indoors; late May or June outdoors in Canada
Propagation Tuber; division only when every section carries a bud and viable roots
Growing method
Start the tuber indoors eight to twelve weeks before the last frost. Fill a shallow pot with light, fertile, free-draining mix, then set the tuber with its concave surface facing upward. Cover it with only 10 to 20 mm (0.4 to 0.8 in) of mix without allowing water to collect in the hollow. Maintain approximately 15 to 18°C, bright indirect light, and light moisture until shoots appear, generally within three to six weeks. Increase watering as leaves develop, while allowing the surface to breathe between applications. Transplant into a 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 in) basket with unrestricted drainage. Harden the plant for seven to ten days and move it outside only after all frost risk has passed and nights remain above 10°C. Position it in bright partial shade protected from scorching sun, strong wind, and rain that saturates the crown. Keep the mix evenly moist, water directly onto the substrate, and feed lightly every two weeks after establishment. Pinch only an unbalanced shoot and remove damaged flowers. Watch for slugs, aphids, whiteflies, powdery mildew, and rot; good air movement and the absence of stagnant water prevent most difficulties.

Soil and care

The right conditions.

Exposure Partial shade
Soil pH Slightly acidic to neutral
Hardiness zone Zones 9 to 11; store the tuber frost-free in Canada
Minimum temperature 5°C (41°F)
Watering
Water sparingly before shoots emerge because a dormant tuber rots easily. Increase gradually as leaves unfold, then keep the mix evenly moist during flowering. Apply water at soil level without filling the tuber depression or repeatedly wetting foliage. Empty saucers, check baskets daily in hot weather, and reduce applications near the end of summer to prepare the plant for dormancy.
Soil type
Use an organic-rich, lightweight, sharply drained growing mix. Quality container mix amended with mature compost and aerated with fine bark or perlite retains sufficient water without suffocating the tuber. In a garden bed, select loose humus-rich soil that never becomes compacted or saturated. Soil should remain moist during flowering while drying slightly at the surface between watering sessions. A slightly acidic to neutral reaction is suitable.
Fertilization
Once shoots are established, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at low concentration every two weeks, then favour a higher-potassium formula as buds develop. Water first whenever the mix is dry to protect roots. Avoid heavy nitrogen applications, which produce weak stems and excessive foliage. Stop feeding when leaves begin yellowing and dormancy approaches. Consistent light feeding produces steadier flowers than occasional heavy applications and reduces salt accumulation in the container.
Seasonal care
In late winter, inspect the stored tuber and discard any soft or mouldy portion. Start it in a small pot with the hollow side upward, using very little water until the first shoots appear. During spring, increase indirect light, turn the pot for balanced growth, and transplant into the final basket when roots occupy the mix. Harden the foliage before moving it outdoors after frost. In summer, check hanging containers daily during hot weather because wind and limited soil volume accelerate drying. Water thoroughly, allow complete drainage, feed lightly every two weeks, and remove damaged flowers. Protect brittle stems from gusts and maintain air movement around the foliage. Watch for slugs, snails, aphids, whiteflies, botrytis, powdery mildew, and crown rot. In autumn, bring the basket under cover before the first frost. Reduce water gradually as leaves yellow, then cut stems after they dry. Lift the tuber, remove loose soil, let it dry for several days, and inspect it. Through winter, store it near 7°C in barely moist peat or sand, in darkness and frost-free conditions. Check monthly to remove rot or moisten the storage material very lightly if the tuber begins shrivelling. Do not restart it before its natural dormancy ends. Also inspect basket liners, drainage openings, chains, and hooks regularly so the heavier watered container remains secure. Clean fallen petals from the soil surface to reduce fungal pressure.

Container growing

A controlled environment.

Recommended pot size
Hanging basket 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 in) in diameter and at least 25 cm (10 in) deep
Select a hanging basket 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 in) in diameter and at least 25 cm (10 in) deep for one tuber, with several unobstructed drainage holes. Line it with material that retains mix without preventing runoff. Combine quality potting mix with mature compost and perlite or fine bark. Set the tuber hollow side upward near the surface, then wait for shoots before increasing water. Hang the container in bright partial shade beneath an open roof or in a place protected from hot sun, gusts, and driving rain. During summer, check the basket’s weight daily; water until drainage occurs whenever the surface begins drying. Feed at half strength every two weeks and rotate the basket for even light. Remove damaged flowers without severely pruning the trailing habit. If roots fill the entire volume, repot only when growth is restarted. Before frost, bring the basket under cover, reduce water, and let stems decline. Store the dry tuber near 7°C rather than attempting to maintain foliage in a warm, dim house. In spring, replace part of the mix and restart growth gradually. Clean the basket and verify every hanger before reusing it.
Trailing begonia (<em>Begonia × tuberhybrida</em> ‘Double Pendula Apricot’)

Bloom and dimensions

The complete profile.

Flower color Salmon apricot
Foliage color Green
Foliage type Deciduous during dormancy, with fleshy asymmetrical leaves
Growth rate Moderate
Bloom period
Flowering generally begins in early or midsummer and continues until the first frost. Double, pendant salmon-apricot blooms carry numerous layered petals resembling small roses. Filtered light, regular moisture, and moderate feeding support production. Remove damaged blooms after heavy rain and protect flexible stems from wind to preserve a full, orderly cascade. Balanced feeding encourages new buds, while prompt removal of damaged petals keeps the display clean and reduces fungal pressure around the crown.
Fruiting
None
Harvest
None
Trailing begonia (<em>Begonia × tuberhybrida</em> ‘Double Pendula Apricot’)

Garden associations

What to plant with it.

Good companions
Pair it with bronze or lime coleus, silver dichondra, chartreuse creeping Jenny, blue lobelia, and small container ferns. These plants contrast with salmon-apricot flowers and tolerate partial shade. Do not overcrowd a mixed basket because competing roots accelerate drying. Avoid full-sun or dry-soil species and vigorous plants that would smother the begonia’s brittle trailing stems. Compact impatiens can complete a large urn when drainage remains excellent. Match growth rates carefully, leave open space around the begonia crown, and prune companions lightly before they block air circulation. Group plants by watering demand so one species is never saturated merely to satisfy another.
Avoid planting with
The main problems are powdery mildew, tuber rot caused by excessive moisture, aphids, and slugs on young shoots.
Grow this begonia as a trailing ornamental in a hanging basket, window box, urn, or elevated container. It supplies a long salmon-apricot cascade to partially shaded porches, balconies, patios, and entrances. Move the pot easily to shelter it from wind or correct its exposure. Flowers and tubers are not intended for consumption; oxalates can irritate the mouth and digestive system. Wear gloves if contact with the sap irritates your skin. With careful frost-free storage, the same tuber can be restarted for several years, making seasonal planning more economical and rewarding.

Frequently asked questions

Everything toknow.

Set the tuber with its concave or hollow surface facing upward and its rounded side resting on the mix. Buds emerge from the upper depression. Position it close to the surface and cover it with only 10 to 20 mm (0.4 to 0.8 in) of lightweight mix. Do not bury the tuber deeply or pour water directly into its hollow because stagnant moisture encourages rot. During initial growth, keep the mix barely moist until shoots and roots become active. If no buds are visible, still position the hollow side upward and wait several weeks at 15 to 18°C.
A healthy tuber may require three to six weeks before showing a shoot, especially when temperatures remain cool. Confirm that it is firm, its hollow side faces upward, and the mix stays lightly moist but never cold and saturated. Maintain approximately 15 to 18°C with indirect light. A very dry tuber can rehydrate from moisture in the mix, but should not be soaked. If it becomes soft, develops an odour, or shows spreading rot, remove affected tissue with a clean tool and let the cut dry; discard it when no firm portion or viable bud remains. Patience prevents unnecessary disturbance.
Provide bright partial shade, such as two to four hours of gentle morning sun followed by open shade. Intense direct afternoon sun can scorch leaves, fade flowers, and dry a hanging basket too quickly. Very dense shade, however, reduces bud numbers and stretches stems. Observe the plant after hardening: bleached or browned edges often indicate excessive sun, while soft growth with few flowers suggests insufficient light. Move the basket gradually rather than abruptly. A position beneath an open porch facing east or northeast generally works well in Canadian summer conditions. Filtered light through a lattice or deciduous tree can also work, provided that the basket is not hidden in deep shade. Reassess exposure as the seasonal sun angle changes.
Bring the container under cover before the first frost and reduce watering gradually as foliage yellows. Once stems are dry, cut them, lift the tuber, and brush away loose soil. Let it dry for several days in a ventilated place, then nest it in barely moist peat, vermiculite, or sand. Store in darkness and frost-free conditions, ideally near 7°C. Inspect monthly: remove rot immediately with a disinfected tool and moisten the material only very lightly if the tuber shrivels severely. Restart it eight to twelve weeks before the planned outdoor date without watering heavily before shoots appear. each season.
Flower drop can follow dry potting mix, an abrupt location change, excessive heat, or rain that weighs down the double blooms. Check moisture daily without keeping roots in water, then shelter the basket from scorching sun and driving rain. Tuberous stems are naturally fleshy and brittle, so protect them from gusts and passing traffic. Excess nitrogen also produces soft growth. Use a light balanced feed instead, followed by a higher-potassium formula during bloom. Remove broken tissue cleanly and improve air movement so damp wounds do not encourage botrytis infection. If several blooms drop together, correct the environmental stress first rather than adding more fertilizer. Stable moisture, shelter, and gradual changes usually restore normal bud development.

Its strengths, naturally.

Not recommended for pets
Not recommended for pets

Pets

Butterflies
Plants that attract butterflies

Butterflies