I have a dragon wing begonia in a pot with room to put another plant in the front, and that is what caught my eye to your post! I didn't start the begonia from seed but it is a very large plant. I've had it for several years and bring it in and put it in front of a window during the winter. If I put a full grown caladium plant in that front spot it would not dwarf the plant. Is your caladium growing from bulb at this point or is it already a full grown plant? I'm not sure how fast the dragon wing begonia grows. Eventually they may be about the same size!

Depends on the caladium - some are quite large. Dragon Wings can get a little tall but not as tall as you'd like or expect. Why not just put both in the back if you have shorter plants? Can you give us an idea of the pot size?

One year I put six DW in the ground with a few caladiums but not sure if this means anything or not.

You can see from this photo of one of my caladium pots from last year that they come in several different sizes and colors.

Here is one more example of a hayrack basket with DW and a small caladium in full day sun years ago.

Your pictures are beautiful! Do you save your caladium bulbs every year?

The pictures are gorgeous, thanks for posting to give me a perspective. The two matching pots are approx. 19 inches around. I believe the caladium was 'white queen' and is a full plant with lovely leaves. I was told it wouldn't get any taller than it is now (I've never grown a caladium). The begonia dragon wing tag said a height of 15 inches however she said 30 inches but I think she mistakenly read 30 cm not inches. The pots are for work so I really wanted them to look nice and wow people. Sounds like they are going to be about the same height. I think I'll move the caladium more in back and surround it with DW's. Can they tolerate some sun now while they root or is shade a must right now? Our nights haven't stabilized, we're jumping from the 40's to 50. Are they safe to leave outside overnight? If not I will keep at home until safe. Thanks again for your time and pictures!

Rachel

Yes, I do save my bulbs now after learning they don't take a hard frost. I just move them indoors in the pot and quit watering. Then about early March if I see any new growth emerging I start watering and put them close to lights.

Both caladiums and DW can take a lot of sun but I'd give the caladiums a little more shade in the afternoon. Caladiums growing from bulbs can go to full sun instead of acclimating them. Begonias on the other hand should be shaded to begin with and gradually brought forth to more sun each day. If you buy them at the nursery and are already hardened then you can put them in full sun but keep them watered. As long as it doesn't get to freezing then 40's and 50's are okay for overnight temps.

Here are 2 or 3 DW in an 18 inch pot in semi-shade (it got slanted sun morning and afternoon).

A hanging basket of DW and caladiums (half exposed to sun, the other half shaded under the deck so it got slanted sun)

A pink one under the red one above

Earlier in the season before the DW took over the caladiums.

The hayrack basket before the DW took over:

The other hanging basket before the DW took over it as well (looks like DW will take over the pots??)

And one in full sun in a 12 inch pot - I watered this most days.

And also the bed of DW and caladiums (I didn't show some of the bed earlier)

This was July 29, 2007 and receives all day sun.

So the take away is 1) they both take full sun, 2) DWs can take over a pot if you let it, 3) keep it watered and you will be rewarded with lots of color and blooms.

Your pictures are lovely, thank you. After making these work containers and seeing your pictures, I want a pot of my own with them. I can't believe in all my years of gardening that I overlooked these plants. Thanks again!

Rachel

Have fun. DW are so mainstream for the last several years you can usually pick up a six pack for around $5 or a little more at a nursery.

@hcmcdole ,

your caladiums are as spectacular as your begonias!

thanks for posting pics - i can never get enough of them!

what is that plant in the back in the pic before last? it has some sort of reddish tips at the end of branches, with bi-pinnate leaves - it looks lovely!

petrushka,

Thanks for the comments. The plant in question is Breynia disticha (Hawaiian snowbush). It is in the same family as Phyllanthus which is a weed that likes to grow quick and set thousands of seed.

http://www.finegardening.com/snow-bush-breynia-disticha-roseo-picta

http://www.boomanfloral.com/shop/6/breynia-nivosa-hawaiian-snowbush/

My caladiums and DW are just starting to kick in. Just need some warm consistent days!

hcmcdole,

thanks! just wondering how do you overwinter it, since it's tropical? indoors? or it comes back for you?

and can't resist asking about the last pic with pink striped caladiums upfront - are those thai varieties by any chance? exceptionally pretty!

I have to bring the snowbush in for winter. Just water it maybe once a week indoors to keep it viable and move it out for summer. A friend in Orlando planted his in the ground but it was killed to the ground (coming back from the roots when I visited in May) so it is very tropical.

I thought the caladium in that bed were Thai Beauty but someone from FL said they were Pink Symphony which resembles Thai Beauty a lot (and is a lot cheaper too).

thanks, again!

Mine don't look good in the pots yet. I hope they get better....

They like it hot (very warm). Caladiums love the heat. Dragon Wings full sun when you get them acclimated.

love that last marbled pink!

Yup, you inspired me. These are now at the front door of our extension office. Absolutley stunning companions for begonias. And I just purchased 3 more for fathers day....any reason to buy flowers! The husband (a non plant lover) said, umm, thanks, for me? HHAAAA

Looking good. Why pass up an opportunity to buy some more such as on Father's Day? A gift for him and some added beauty for both of you (or just you).

Just picked up four more pots this past week as well.

Here are a few caladiums I saw at the Giant Buddha site in Phuket a week or so ago.

I think begonias help to support tall Caladium leaves: it helps if windy. and sometimes the leaves grow too tall. this way they just float on top. very pretty!