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Trailing tuberous begonia
Begoniaceae
Apricot begonia for hanging baskets
Superba Novelty Splendid Apricot begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida ‘Splendid Apricot’)
Splendid Apricot is a trailing Superba Novelty tuberous begonia reaching approximately 30 cm by 20 cm. Its Van Noort size 6/+ tuber produces large double flowers in apricot, peach, and soft orange throughout summer. Start it in spring 5 cm deep, then grow it in partial shade in rich, moist, well-drained mix. Its silhouette is particularly suitable for hanging baskets and window boxes. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. Bright filtered light preserves the apricot colour and prevents scorching of tender foliage. The mix should remain moist during growth, while surplus water drains freely after every irrigation.
- Quantity
- 1 tuber
- Exposure
- Partial shade
- Life cycle
- Tender tuberous perennial grown as an annual
- Hardiness
- Zone 8; grown as an annual in Quebec
Discover the plant
Common nameTrailing tuberous begonia Splendid Apricot
FamilyBegoniaceae
GenusBegonia
Species× tuberhybrida
CultivarSplendid Apricot
TypeTrailing tuberous begonia
Botanical nameBegonia × tuberhybrida
Superba Novelty Splendid Apricot begonia (Begonia × tuberhybrida ‘Splendid Apricot’) produces a refined cascade of large double flowers blending apricot, peach, and soft orange. The Van Noort size 6/+ tuber forms a trailing plant approximately 30 cm tall and 20 cm wide, furnished with fleshy, asymmetrical green leaves. Layered petals create full blooms that renew themselves throughout summer. Its flexible silhouette displays beautifully along the edge of a window box, hanging basket, or elevated container. The warm colour remains luminous without becoming harsh in a shaded composition and creates a sophisticated seasonal focal point.
Start the tuber in spring in rich, light, sharply drained potting mix, positioning the hollow side upward. Cover it with approximately 5 cm of mix and maintain gentle warmth until shoots appear. After frost, place the container in partial shade or bright filtered light, protected from scorching sun and strong wind. Water when the surface begins to dry without continually wetting flowers or leaving water in the saucer. Regular diluted balanced fertilizer supports flowering. Space plants about 20 cm apart to maintain air circulation. Acclimate indoor-grown shoots gradually before their final outdoor placement.
Splendid Apricot suits baskets, window boxes, urns, and shaded borders where its stems can trail freely. Pair it with purple coleus, blue lobelia, white bacopa, ferns, and heuchera to emphasize peach tones. Flowers are primarily ornamental and the plant is not edible. Its wildlife value is limited, although some insects may visit the blooms. In Quebec, bring the container indoors before frost or lift the tuber after foliage yellows. Dry it briefly, then store it cool, dry, and frost free, clearly labelled and away from children and pets. Wear gloves while handling damaged tissue.
Planting guide
Plant well.Grow beautifully.
Spacing / density
200 mm (8 in) between plants carefully
Best planting time
March to April indoors; move outside after frost carefully
Propagation
Careful division of large tubers carrying several buds
Growing method
Start the tubers in spring in a light, well-draining substrate, placing their hollow side upwards. Water sparingly before shoots appear and ensure no water remains in the hollow. Keep young plants frost-free until conditions allow for outdoor planting. Choose a bright location protected from scorching sun and strong winds. In pots, keep drainage holes clear and adjust watering to foliage development. Gradually acclimate plants outdoors to wind and light, without rushing new shoots. During growth, maintain consistent moisture without allowing the soil to become waterlogged. Water at the base and remove damaged or faded flowers to keep the plant tidy. Stems and leaves are fragile: handle the container with care and avoid pressing the plant against more vigorous neighbors. In Quebec, protect tubers from frost for storage. When foliage goes dormant, reduce watering and allow aerial parts to wither before removing them. Keep healthy tubers in a dry, airy, frost-free place during winter, with their label, then check their condition before replanting.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral
Minimum temperature
Overwinter frost free; approximately 7°C (45°F) minimum carefully carefully
Care level
Easy to moderate
Watering
Water when the upper centimetres of mix begin to dry, then let surplus drain completely. Flowering requires steady moisture, but the tuber rots in saturated mix. Water at the base in the morning without continually wetting flowers. Reduce irrigation gradually as foliage yellows and keep stored tubers dry. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth.
Soil type
Use rich, humus-filled, light, sharply drained potting mix. Container mix amended with compost, perlite, and fine bark holds even moisture without suffocating the tuber. Avoid compact garden soil, full saucers, and cold saturated media. Refresh the mix each spring to preserve its structure. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. carefully
Fertilization
Once shoots are active, apply diluted balanced fertilizer every two to three weeks, with slightly more potassium during bud formation. Water before feeding and flush the mix occasionally. Stop as foliage declines. Excess nitrogen produces soft stems and fewer flowers. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. carefully carefully carefully carefully carefully
Moisture
Moderate ambient humidity supports foliage when air circulates freely. Avoid drying drafts as well as enclosed corners where condensation and botrytis develop. Space containers, remove dead tissue, and water early. During storage, provide a cool, dry, ventilated atmosphere that prevents mould. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. carefully
Seasonal care
In spring, inspect the tuber and repot it hollow side upward. Keep it warm, increase water gradually, and provide bright light after emergence. Following frost, acclimate it to outdoor partial shade. During summer, water regularly, feed lightly, rotate pots, and remove faded blooms or spotted leaves. Shelter stems from wind and monitor thrips, aphids, mites, and powdery mildew. In autumn, bring the container indoors before cold weather or let foliage yellow, then reduce water. Lift the dormant tuber, clean it, and let it dry. In winter, store it cool, dry, ventilated, and frost free. Inspect monthly, remove soft tissue, and preserve the cultivar label. Never return a cold tuber to saturated spring mix. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. Bright filtered light preserves the apricot colour and prevents scorching of tender foliage. The mix should remain moist during growth, while surplus water drains freely after every irrigation. Remove faded flowers and feed lightly to support continuous bloom throughout summer. Before frost, bring the pot indoors or lift the tuber, then store it cool, dry, and frost free. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. Bright filtered light preserves the apricot colour and prevents scorching of tender foliage.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
Basket or pot 30 to 35 cm wide and at least 25 cm deep
Choose a basket or window box 30 to 35 cm wide and at least 25 cm deep with several holes. An elevated container allows trailing stems to develop without touching the ground. Fill it with rich airy mix, plant the tuber 5 cm deep, and place it in partial shade. Water until surplus drains freely, then repeat as the surface dries. Feed lightly during flowering and rotate the pot for balanced growth. Remove damaged flowers after rain. Before frost, move the container under cover. For dormancy, reduce water, let foliage yellow, then store the tuber dry and frost free. Refresh the mix at the next start. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. Bright filtered light preserves the apricot colour and prevents scorching of tender foliage. The mix should remain moist during growth, while surplus water drains freely after every irrigation. Remove faded flowers and feed lightly to support continuous bloom throughout summer. Before frost, bring the pot indoors or lift the tuber, then store it cool, dry, and frost free. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
About 30 cm (12 in.)
Width / spread
20 cm (8 in)
Flower color
Apricot, peach, and soft orange
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Deciduous, fleshy, and asymmetrical
Growth rate
Fast
Growth habit
Trailing and branching
Bloom period
From summer until cold nights, Splendid Apricot produces large double flowers in apricot, peach, and soft orange. Layered petals form full rosettes on trailing stems. Removing faded flowers, maintaining steady moisture, providing filtered light, and feeding moderately encourage continual bud renewal. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. carefully carefully carefully
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
White bacopa, blue lobelia, purple coleus, ferns, heuchera, and impatiens emphasize apricot colour while enjoying filtered light. Grow very vigorous companions in neighbouring pots so they cannot smother the begonia. Choose species with similar watering needs and maintain enough airflow around leaves. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. Bright filtered light preserves the apricot colour and prevents scorching of tender foliage. The mix should remain moist during growth, while surplus water drains freely after every irrigation.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
When should the tuber be started?
Start the tuber in March or April, approximately eight to ten weeks before the last frost. Set it hollow side upward in rich well-drained mix and cover it by 5 cm. Keep the medium lightly moist and warm until shoots appear. Then provide bright light and increase water gradually. After frost, acclimate the plant to outdoor partial shade for one week. Moving tender leaves directly into strong sun causes burns. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. Bright filtered light preserves the apricot colour and prevents scorching of tender foliage. The mix should remain moist during growth, while surplus water drains freely after every irrigation.
What light is best? carefully
Choose partial shade or bright filtered light, ideally with gentle morning sun. Avoid scorching afternoon exposure that fades flowers and burns foliage. Dense shade can reduce bloom and stretch stems, however. On a porch, observe how sunlight moves and relocate the basket when necessary. Shelter the plant from wind as well. A bright, cool, protected position maintains colourful flowers, healthy leaves, and balanced trailing growth. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. Bright filtered light preserves the apricot colour and prevents scorching of tender foliage. The mix should remain moist during growth, while surplus water drains freely after every irrigation.
How should a hanging basket be watered?
Check the basket daily during hot periods because it dries faster than a ground-level pot. Press a finger into the mix and water when the surface begins drying. Soak deeply until surplus drains freely, then empty every saucer. Water in the morning at soil level rather than over flowers. Never follow a fixed schedule because wind, heat, and plant size change demand. Constant saturation rots the tuber, while complete drying interrupts flowering. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. Bright filtered light preserves the apricot colour and prevents scorching of tender foliage. carefully carefully
How should the tuber be overwintered?
Before frost, reduce water as foliage begins yellowing. Cut stems only after decline, lift the tuber, and remove soil gently. Dry it for several days in shade, then place it in a clearly labelled paper bag or ventilated crate. Store it cool, dry, dark, and frost free. Inspect monthly and remove soft tissue. In spring, repot only firm tubers and increase moisture gradually after growth resumes. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. Bright filtered light preserves the apricot colour and prevents scorching of tender foliage. The mix should remain moist during growth, while surplus water drains freely after every irrigation.
Is the plant toxic?
Yes. Begonia tissues contain irritating oxalates and must not be eaten. The tuber poses a particular risk to animals that dig or chew. Wear gloves while planting, pruning, lifting, or cleaning, then wash hands and tools. Keep the basket, waste material, and stored tuber away from children, dogs, and cats. After ingestion or significant irritation, promptly contact a poison centre, medical professional, or veterinarian. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth. Bright filtered light preserves the apricot colour and prevents scorching of tender foliage. The mix should remain moist during growth, while surplus water drains freely after every irrigation.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Reported toxicity
Yes
Supporting wildlife
Double flowers provide less accessible pollen than single blooms, although some insects may still visit them. Splendid Apricot should be treated primarily as an ornamental plant. Add locally suitable single-flowered species near the containers to provide nectar, pollen, and shelter throughout the season. In Quebec, start the tuber in warmth and move the container outdoors after all danger of frost. Gradual acclimation also encourages consistently strong and balanced growth.