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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Begoniaceae (Begonias) |
| Origin: South America |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Synonyms: [B. 'Irene Tapia', Hort.] |
| Parentage: (B. venosa x B. scharffiana) |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Begonia 'San Miguel' - A large hairy-leafed shrub-type begonia that was the result of crossing Begonia venosa with B. scharffiana. It has 5 to 6 inch long leaves that are pale green on the upper surface and deep red below with both surfaces covered with white hairs. Petioles and young stems are also red. The flowers, which appear in summer through fall and linger into winter rise above the foliage on branching red stems and are white with a tinge of pink at the base. Plant in shade in a well-drained organically rich soil and irrigate regularly. Hardy to about 28° F. This hybrid was created by Virgil E. Stark of San Diego, California in 1953 (some references say 1957) and was registered by the American Begonia Society as cultivar # 134. We received this plant unidentified from local Santa Barbara designer and gardener Barbara Siemon in 2000 and started selling it in 2007 under the name Begonia 'Irene Tapia', a Begonia scharffiana hybrid created by in 1977 by legendary begonia hybridizer Rudy Ziesenhenne (1911-2005). We thank Mike Flaherty of Gazebo Plants and Flowers who corrected us on this identification in 2011, noting that Begonia 'San Miguel' has the distinct stipules from its Begonia venosa parent that makes our plant unmistakably this cultivar. Mike noted that he too received a cutting from Ms. Siemon and that Rudy Ziesenhenne himself identified it as Begonia 'San Miguel'.
This information about Begonia 'San Miguel' displayed is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We will also note observations that we have made about it as it grows in the gardens in our nursery and those elsewhere, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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