Name: Golden Wave begonia
Brand: Van Noort
SKU: VAN-307-111-01
Price: 6.49 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

Sale Sold out

A Golden Wave begonia trails over a hanging basket

Begonia tuber Begoniaceae

Superba Novelty yellow-and-red begonia for baskets

Van Noort

Begonia × tuberhybrida

From bulb to bloom

Common nameGolden Wave trailing begonia

FamilyBegoniaceae

GenusBegonia

Species× tuberhybrida

CultivarGolden Wave

Bulb typeTuberous begonia

Botanical nameBegonia × tuberhybrida

Quantity per pack1 tuber

Golden Wave begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida) is recognized by large double golden yellow flowers delicately picotee-edged in scarlet red. Every bloom carries a slightly different picotee edge, giving the plant rich character without artificial uniformity. Flowers contrast with asymmetrical green leaves held on trailing stems. Van Noort supplies one size 6/+ tuber producing a plant approximately 35 cm (14 in.) high and 20 cm (8 in.) wide. Summer flowering continues until frost. A tender perennial, Golden Wave requires frost-free winter storage everywhere Canadian winters bring freezing temperatures. Careful storage preserves the cultivar for another season.

Wake the tuber indoors eight to twelve weeks before the final frost in airy mix at 15 to 18°C. Set the hollow upward, cover it lightly, and moisten sparingly until shoots appear. Transplant into a freely draining basket, harden the foliage, and move it outdoors after nights remain consistently above 10 °C. Bright partial shade preserves the golden yellow and cherry picotee edge. Keep the mix moist, feed lightly but regularly, shelter stems from wind, and prevent all stagnant water from collecting in the tuber depression. Water directly onto the mix.

Display Golden Wave alone in a hanging basket so its multicoloured flowers remain the design focus, or accompany it with simple silver, burgundy, or deep green foliage. A porch, balcony, or courtyard with filtered light presents the double blooms at eye level. Flowers are ornamental and should not be eaten; plant tissues contain irritating oxalates, especially the tuber. Before frost, reduce watering, allow stems to yellow, dry the tuber, and store it in darkness near 7 °C in barely moist material until the next growing cycle. Label the tuber clearly before storage.

Light and life cycle

In the garden

Exposure: Partial shade
Life cycle: Tender perennial commonly grown as an annual
Hardiness: Zones 9 to 11; store the tuber frost-free in Canada

Planting and establishment

Planting guide

Planting & establishment

Spacing / density

1 tuber per 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 in.) basket; 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in.) between plants

Planting period

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 Golden Wave in a shallow pot eight to twelve weeks before the last frost. Use fresh, lightweight, airy mix. Set the size 6/+ tuber with its rounded side down and hollow upward, covering with only 10 to 20 mm (0.4 to 0.8 in.). Maintain 15 to 18°C, bright indirect light, and low moisture until emergence. Apply water around the tuber, never into the depression. When several leaves unfold, move the plant into a 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 in.) basket with clear drainage holes. Harden for seven to ten days and wait for nights above 10 °C. Bright partial shade preserves golden yellow and scarlet-red petals. Water thoroughly as the surface begins drying, allow drainage, and feed at half strength every two weeks. A slightly higher-potassium formula supports bud development. Double flowers retain rain; keep the basket beneath open shelter, remove waterlogged blooms, and maintain air around stems. Watch for slugs, aphids, yellowflies, botrytis, powdery mildew, and rot. Stable water and light produce better results than strong interventions. After storms, inspect the liner, empty trapped water, and clean fallen petals from the surface. Rotate the basket weekly for even light and branching.

Soil and care

Soil & care

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral

Moisture

Evenly moist mix during growth without stagnant water; moderate atmospheric humidity with air moving around double flowers. consistently.

Care level

Moderate

Watering

Before shoots appear, keep the mix barely moist to protect the tuber from rot. As leaves open, water more deeply whenever the surface begins drying, then allow the basket to drain. Check daily during heat or wind. Direct water onto the substrate without filling the hollow or wetting large flowers. Abrupt drought causes bud drop, while persistent saturation destroys roots. Reduce watering gradually in autumn.

Soil type

Use rich but porous organic mix combining container substrate, mature compost, and perlite or fine bark. It should retain sufficient moisture for flowering while allowing oxygen to reach the tuber. Keep every drainage hole open. In a garden bed, choose loose, humus-rich, sharply drained soil; avoid compact clay, saturated hollows, and sand that dries too rapidly. A slightly acidic to neutral pH supports steady nutrient availability.

Fertilization

Once several leaves have opened, apply balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every two weeks. During bud formation, a slightly higher-potassium formula supports large flowers. Feed only moist mix and flush periodically with clear water. Excess nitrogen stretches stems and reduces flowering. Stop applications as soon as autumn yellowing begins. Light regular applications produce steadier flowering than occasional concentrated feeding and limit damaging salt buildup.

Seasonal care

In late winter, inspect Golden Wave in its storage material. The tuber should remain firm; remove a small soft area with a disinfected blade and let the wound dry. Set it in a shallow pot with the hollow upward. In spring, increase water as leaves appear, turn the pot, and transplant into the final hanging basket. Check the liner, holes, chains, and hook before outdoor hardening. During summer, lift the basket each morning in hot weather. Water until drainage, feed lightly every two weeks, and rotate the hanging container. Remove double flowers damaged by rain promptly; wet petals encourage botrytis and may break a stem. Clean the mix surface and monitor slugs, aphids, yellowflies, and powdery mildew. In autumn, bring the basket under cover before frost and reduce water progressively. When stems yellow and dry, cut them, lift the tuber, brush away soil, and let it dry for several days. Through winter, label Golden Wave and store it in darkness near 7 °C in barely moist material. Inspect monthly, remove rot, and moisten the medium lightly only if the tuber shrivels severely. Before every summer watering, inspect the liner, chains, hook, and drainage openings so the heavier wet basket remains secure. Rotate weekly for even light and bud development, then remove petals before they decay on the mix. During storage, keep cultivars separated, record damage removed, and disinfect the storage box before reuse.

Growing in containers

Container growing

Recommended pot size

Hanging basket 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 in.) in diameter and at least 25 cm (10 in.) deep

Choose a basket 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 in.) in diameter and at least 25 cm (10 in.) deep for one size 6/+ tuber. The liner should retain mix without blocking drainage. Use rich substrate aerated with perlite and set the tuber hollow upward near the surface. Before emergence, moisten modestly; after rooting, water until drainage whenever the upper layer begins drying. Hang in bright partial shade beneath an open porch that blocks scorching sun and direct rain. Rotate weekly so bicolour flowers develop on every side. Feed at half strength every two weeks and inspect the hook regularly because the container becomes heavy after watering. Growing Golden Wave alone simplifies picotee edge observation and limits competition; if adding companions, select only modest foliage plants. Remove fallen petals and keep the crown airy. Before frost, bring the basket under cover and let the plant decline while reducing water. Lift the tuber, dry it, and store near 7 °C. At the next restart, disinfect the basket, renew most of the mix, and inspect every hanger fitting. If roots fill the basket, wait until the following restart to repot. Keep the crown visible, avoid unnecessary pruning, and label the tuber before storage.

Growth and flowering

Size, flowering & harvest

Mature height

Approximately 35 cm (14 in.)

Width / spread

20 cm (8 in.)

Flower color

Golden yellow edged in contrasting red

Foliage color

Green

Foliage type

Deciduous during dormancy, with fleshy asymmetrical leaves

Growth rate

Moderate

Growth habit

Trailing, vigorous and branched

Fragrance

Light or imperceptible scent; cultivar valued mainly for colour

Bloom period

Summer until the first frost, with repeat flowering according to warmth and care. Prompt removal of rain-soaked blooms keeps neighbouring buds dry, protects fleshy stems, and maintains a clean display in which the fine scarlet-red edge remains clearly visible. Filtered light and consistent watering extend flower quality. Successive buds maintain a continuous ornamental presence when the plant is protected from scorching sun and heavy rain.

Garden companions

Garden associations

Companion plants & uses

Companion plants

Pair Golden Wave with simple foliage rather than other strongly picotee edgeed flowers. Silver dichondra, compact burgundy coleus, deep green creeping Jenny, or a small fern highlight golden yellow and scarlet red. Choose partial shade and similar water needs. Trim companions before they hide blooms, keep the crown clear, and avoid succulents, full sun, and large competing roots. Small yellow lobelia and compact impatiens can complete a broad, freely drained urn. Match watering needs, trim companions before they conceal picotee edgeed blooms, and leave open air around the crown. Avoid crowded roots that either dry the basket too rapidly or hold moisture against the tuber.

Garden use

Give Golden Wave an almost solitary container so every picotee edging variation remains visible. A basket against a grey, deep green, or natural wood wall highlights golden yellow and scarlet red without adding a third dominant colour. Use two symmetrical baskets to frame a classic entrance or one above a small table as a collector focal point. In a tall urn, position the tuber near the rim and add only silver dichondra or very compact burgundy foliage. A window box can repeat several Golden Wave plants with enough room for air, but avoid vigorous roots that accelerate drying. Keep the container in bright partial shade, preferably beneath an east-facing porch. Protect large flowers from driving rain and stems from traffic. A movable basket allows rapid exposure correction and frost-free removal. Temporary bed planting requires humus-rich, sharply drained soil and a visible marker for autumn lifting. In Canada, a basket remains simpler for water control, petal cleanup, and winter storage. Gentle evening lighting reveals the picotee edges without flattening them. For a restrained composition, repeat only golden yellow, scarlet red, and deep green. Place a plain saucer beneath the basket while watering to protect finished surfaces, then remove it after drainage. Rotate weekly so every side develops picotee edgeed blooms. This routine maintains balance and lets the display remain attractive from both the garden and an interior window.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Golden Wave flowers have the same picotee edge?

No. The Golden Wave character produces double golden yellow flowers delicately picotee-edged in scarlet red, but the amount and position of red naturally vary from bloom to bloom. One flower may show more spots, another a clearer edge, or irregular streaks. This variation is part of the cultivar’s appeal and does not mean the plant is diseased. Light, temperature, and flower age can also change colour perception slightly. Grow the basket under bright filtered light and avoid scorching sun that fades or damages petals. Photograph several flowers to appreciate the complete display rather than one specimen. Pattern differences should therefore be expected and celebrated.

How can the large double flowers be protected from rain?

Hang the basket beneath an open porch close enough to the roof to block vertical rain while maintaining airflow. Before a windy storm, unhook it and place it temporarily beside a wall. After rain, allow the container to drain, then remove blooms that are heavily soaked, torn, or spotted. Double petals retain water, become heavy, and may break stems or encourage botrytis. Collect petals fallen onto the mix as well. Do not spray flowers; apply water directly to the substrate in the morning. Good air movement and an uncrowded basket let tissues dry more quickly. Inspect neighbouring buds carefully afterwards.

Why are new flowers showing less contrast?

Temperature, light intensity, and petal age can temporarily vary the golden yellow and scarlet-red contrast. Excessive sun bleaches or scorches tissues, while deep shade reduces overall flowering quality. Move the basket gradually into bright partial shade with gentle morning sun. Maintain even moisture and feed lightly because a stressed plant forms smaller or shorter-lived flowers. Do not add large fertilizer amounts to change colour, since excess nitrogen mainly promotes leaves. Compare several successive blooms and check for pests before concluding that the picotee edge has been lost. Rotate the basket weekly for balanced exposure, clear drainage after storms, and remove faded blooms so newly opened picotee edges remain visually dominant.

How should the Golden Wave tuber be stored correctly?

Bring the basket under cover before any frost and reduce water progressively. When stems yellow and dry, cut them, lift the tuber, and brush away soil. Let it dry on paper for several days in a ventilated place. Set it in barely moist peat, vermiculite, or sand in darkness near 7 °C. Label Golden Wave clearly to preserve its bicolour identity. Inspect monthly: remove a soft area with a disinfected tool and moisten the storage material very lightly only if the tuber shrivels considerably. Restart eight to twelve weeks before the next outdoor date without saturating the mix.

Is Golden Wave safe around pets?

No. Begonias contain irritating oxalates, especially concentrated in the tuber. Keep the basket beyond reach, store the dormant tuber in a closed box, and collect fallen petals or stems. A dog or cat chewing the plant may experience mouth pain, drooling, vomiting, or difficulty swallowing. If ingestion is suspected, contact a veterinarian or animal poison service promptly and provide the name Begonia × tuberhybrida ‘Golden Wave’. Never induce vomiting without professional direction. Wear gloves if sap irritates your skin and clean tools after handling. Dispose of pruned tissues where curious animals cannot retrieve them, and clean the storage box before placing the dormant tuber inside.

Wildlife and pets

Wildlife & precautions

Reported toxicity

Yes

Supporting wildlife

Numerous petal rows make flower centres difficult to access, so Golden Wave should be chosen for its decorative picotee edge rather than as a main pollinator plant. Add simple species nearby, preferably native plants with successive partial-shade bloom periods. They will provide bees and other insects with more accessible nectar and pollen throughout the season.