Begonia luxurians
"Palm Leaf Begonia"
Hailing from the rainforests of Brazil, this marvelous Begonia certainly suggests a palm tree rather than a Begonia. Upright and structural to 8-10’ (can be pruned shorter), “Palm Begonia” develops cool thick reddish upright canes topped with long cascading glossy finger-like leaves with ruby-copper undersides. Like leafy umbrellas – to 1.5’ across! Spring and Summer brings 5-7” clusters of pretty scented yellow and white flowers on rosy stems. Fertile well-drained soil. Needing some humidity – at least 50%, it loves coastal California. Hardy to USDA zone 9b, it will show some damage with frost. Root hardy to mid-20’s° F. Happy in large containers. Rarely available and only in very small quantities, nab one if you can!
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