Culture
Grow in well-drained, humusy soil in bright light but not direct sunlight. Dappled sun is best if grown outdoors. Water regularly when growing actively but reduce watering in winter or when plant growth is slow. Wet soil, especially cold wet soil, can lead to root and stem rots. Many shrub-like begonias are suitable as indoor plants and others do well as summer bedding plants.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Begonia is a genus of about 1,300 species of annuals, perennials, shrubs and climbers. Most have fleshy stems. Some produce underground tubers or rhizomes. They are grown for their showy flower or colorful leaves; some for both. Begonias can be divided into 7 informal groups by growth habit: cane-like, rex-cultorum, rhizomatous, semperflorens, tuberous, trailing or scandent, thick-stemmed and shrub-like.
Shrub-like begonias are a highly variable group and include plants of all sizes, from small miniatures to towering, 12' shrubs. The foliage is variable, but can have unique colors, patterns, and textures including hairy. The quantity and showiness of the blooms is also variable, with some selections exhibiting an ever blooming habit and others flowering only occasionally. All shrub-like begonias share a dense, bushy, highly branched, upright to slightly spreading habit made up of multiple stems emanating from the base of the plant.
Genus name honors Michael Begon (1638-1710), Governor of French Canada.
'Penny Lahn' is a shrub-like begonia selection that features narrowly-ovate, dark green foliage. Open clusters of small, pink flowers bloom along the stems. Mature plants will reach up to 1.5' tall with an equal spread and take on an upright to slightly vase-shaped habit.
Problems
Susceptible to bacterial leaf spot, powdery mildew, botrytis, and stem rot, especially in humid conditions with poor air circulation. Watch for mealybugs and thrips.
Uses
Houseplant, greenhouses, conservatories.