Begonias are back in fashion! So says mail order plant industry leader, Thompson & Morgan as it launches its Big Begonia Revival.
According to Michael Perry, Thompson & Morgan’s new development manager, begonias are enjoying a comeback. No longer seen as chintzy and old-fashioned, begonias have become indispensable in our modern climate of unpredictable summers and wet winters.
Begonias are so versatile now, thanks to modern breeding techniques. They can be grown in sun or shade: in borders, beds or patio pots; in hanging baskets or window boxes. They are incredibly adaptable to changing weather conditions; putting up with heavy rain as well as scorching sun - they’re guaranteed to keep blooming whatever the British weather throws at them. At the company’s trial grounds near its Ipswich headquarters, Thompson & Morgan’s trials manager, Sarah Curtis, noted that many begonia varieties started to flower in June and were still blooming at the beginning of November! ‘Begonias have one of the longest flowering periods of any summer bedding plant’, she says, ‘they just keep on going; providing gardens with non-stop colour well into autumn!’
Begonias are also coming into their own in the wake of the problems that gardeners have experienced over the past few years with busy Lizzies. Busy Lizzie plants have been devastated by downy mildew, but begonias have shown themselves to be perfect replacements in beds, borders and pots.
Thompson & Morgan is very proud of its wide choice of begonias - it offers over 40 different varieties across its seed and plant ranges - and will be showcasing some of its best-sellers, including many customer favourites, over the next few months. There are some fabulous new varieties to watch out for in 2014 - such as ‘Fragrant Falls Improved’™, pictured here on the left.
To learn more about the Big Begonia Revival, customers can visit www.thebigbegoniarevival.com
For free plant and seed catalogues or to place an order, call 0844 573 1818 or visit www.thompson-morgan.com
Begonias are back in fashion!