Begonia 'Richmondensis' (Richmond Begonia) - A shrubby plant that grows to 2 feet tall by an equal width with red stems holding attractive semi-succulent and glossy oval shaped leaves that are dark green above with red undersides and red scalloped and toothed margins. In frost free locations the salmon-pink flowers bloom throughout the year and are held near the branch tips
Plant in a well-drained soil in bright shade or part sun (can take nearly full sun along coast) with more intense light bringing out the best reddish colors. Water occasionally to regularly. Hardy to 25-30 degrees F. Pinch tips of stems to encourage branching and occasionally prune hard to rejuvenate and shape. A great plant for a hanging basket, potted specimen or planted in the ground.
In Mildred and Edward Thompson's Begonia: The Completed Reference Guide (New York Times Books, 1981) this cultivar is noted as first being described in 1939 as a seedling of the red evergreen flowering Begonia 'Digswelliana', itself a hybrid created in 1865 from cross between Begonia fuchsioides and Begonia semperflorens. The Thompsons categorized it as "shrub-like, bare-leaved, small leaved everblooming type; fragrant, pink, everblooming; profuse". We also grow a white flowering plant called Begonia acutifolia that is sometimes called "White Richmondensis Begonia".
This information about Begonia 'Richmondensis' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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