February 2022 - 46

vaughn's view
1
BY VAUGHN FLETCHER
ALL STAR
Begonias
These begonia selections for the 2021 trials were
colorful and resilient.
T
Vaughn Fletcher
is president of
Fletcher Consulting.
He has been in the
horticulture industry
since 1971, working in
many areas including
landscaping, garden
center and greenhouse
production, greenhouse
and nursery sales and
sales management.
He can be reached at
vfletcher9@gmail.com.
wo years ago, I wrote an
article on new begonia
varieties and have focused
on specific varieties in previous
and subsequent articles. The
diversity and uniqueness of the
new begonia introductions from
multiple breeders continue to grow
and expand, and offer growers and
ultimate consumers myriad choices
with a kaleidoscope of colors;
single and double flowers; light and
dark leaf types; and upright and
pendulous habits. The current and
new introductions offer production
versatility and consumer applicability in
patio containers and baskets in sun or
shade predicated on the variety.
Begonia representation in summer field
and container trials is significant and
expanding every year, and the exposure
and performance is reflected in spring
production programs nationwide. My
evaluation and description of begonia
varieties in this article was based on
visits to Metrolina, Plantpeddler, Lucas
Greenhouses, Penn State, Mast Young
Plants, Raker-Roberta's and Colorado
State University in August and early
September.
Many of the varieties I chose were in
multiple trials, and I selected current and
new introductions to highlight based on
the attributes of foliage quality, vigor,
floriferousness, flower stability, distinctive
flower forms, habit, flower colors and
weather tolerance.
46 FEBRUARY 2022 GPNMAG.COM
1. 'SOLENIA
APRICOT'
Beekenkamp
The Solenia series
has been an integral
part of many begonia
programs for years.
Current and new Solenia varieties are
entered in summer trials every year to
demonstrate their uniformity, durability,
versatility in containers, and exceptional
sun and heat tolerance. Performance of
this series is well documented, and the
characteristics of day length neutrality,
uniform branching, mildew resistance,
negligible dead heading, and prolific
multi-petaled flowers create a vibrant
and colorful season extending series.
The series consists of eight colors;
shown is 'Solenia Apricot' from the Lucas
Greenhouse trial. With the bicolor flowers
and peach and yellow undertones, it is
a colorful standout and one of the most
unique colors in the Solenia assortment.
2. 'FIONA PINK'
American Takii
This is the only Begonia semperflorens
selection in the article, and it caught my
attention in multiple trials. The series is
comprised of four colors: Red, introduced
in 2019, followed by Rose, Pink, and White
in 2020. Red received the prestigious
Fleuroselect Gold Medal following its
introduction and summer performance in
international trials. The additional colors
have manifested the same characteristics
2
as Red, which are lustrous green foliage,
extra early double flowers, excellent
uniformity, self-cleaning with outstanding
garden performance, and adaptability in
field and container trials. The series was
in shaded and sun exposure sites with
similar results and will mature at eight
to 10 inches. We have many outstanding
semperflorens series available for spring
programs, and Fiona is a viable option
with application in landscape sites,
baskets, mixed containers, and patio pots.
The accompanying photo was taken at
Penn State in late August.
3.'DREAMS VERMILLION
HOT PINK'
Beekenkamp
Beekenkamp offers a diverse portfolio
of Begonia Dreams Collections and
series, including Beauvilia, Waterfall,
Fragrant Falls, BK, Solenia and the Ilona
collection. Beekenkamp varieties are
widely used in spring programs. One of my
favorite begonias since its introduction is
'Vermillion Red' within the BK Collection.
It has been a standout performer in
trials and spring production programs. It
manifests one of the most intense, vivid
and deepest reds within the Begonia
http://www.GPNMAG.COM
February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2022
