I never really took to these until last year. We had visitors coming and I rushed out to get a few bedding plants to pep up some pots. The only thing left within walking distance was a couple of trays of begonias, so grudgingly I bought them. Imagine my surprise when they overwintered and have grown and flowered luxuriantly for months this year. They are happy in my shady garden and have seemingly no pests at all.

Hey floral_uk I think I now recall you noting last season that you were pleased using these begonias. I dont think there are many annuals that can thrive in full sun and in lots of shade.

OMG, I was just commenting on these to my husband yesterday, and I actually mentioned them on a thread about annuals last week.

My grandmother always had wax begonias in the planter boxes on her deck railing, and I never really liked them. This past spring I waited waaaaayyyy too long to get out to the nursery to get my annuals (this miserable virus and all) and when I got there the nursery was wiped out. So were the next two garden centers. Except for some pink and white wax begonias (and lots of impatiens which I won't buy now). So, I picked up a few scraggly petunias, some scrawny geraniums, sweet potato vine (which always is a rock star) and yes, lots and lots of wax begonias.

Well!! These. Things. Are. Awesome. I cannot believe how they have gotten huge and are so healthy and lush looking. Constantly in bloom, pretty much self-cleaning, healthy as all get-out, and just non-stop beauty. The petunias pooped out, the geraniums are meh, but the wax begonias are just phenomenal.

And... I even planted them in a planter I haven't used in almost ten years - and yes, I am admitting it - in the same soil that was still in it, lol. I was also desperately short of potting soil this season, so I scraped off the hard stuff on top and put like three trowels full of fresh stuff (and cheap stuff at that, waiting too long to get out again) and mixed it in, and the begonias still are the stars of the patio.

I still can't say that I *love* the blooms, but I love the overall effect of them, they way they have performed, and their reliability. These may have a permanent spot on my patio from now on.

:)
Dee