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Begonia 'Red Fred' - A large leaf rhizomatous begonia with rounded heart shaped 10-inch-wide leaves that are glossy maroon with green venation on the upper surface and red underneath. These leaves have a puffy texture between the leaf veins and are held on light green petioles covered with red scales. In late winter into spring appear small pink and red flowers that rise well above foliage in a tightly branched inflorescence.
Plant in bright shade or morning sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate regularly. Should prove hardy to short duration cold temperatures below 30°F but we have not tested it for this. A very nice container specimen for mild climate garden.
Begonia 'Red Fred' was a seedling of Begonia 'Freddie' raised by Brad Thompson at the late Mark Bartholomew's Hi-Mark Nursery. It was selected from the seedflat and named in 2005 by Mike Flaherty of Gazebo Plants in Santa Barbara. The parent plant Begonia 'Freddie' was created by legendary Begonia hybridizer Rudolph Ziesenhenne (1911-2005) at his Santa Barbara nursery by crossing Begonia manicata aureo-maculata with Begonia barkeri. More information on this plant on our listing for Begonia Freddie. Though Begonia 'Red Fred' has considerably redder foliage, it has smaller leaves, less showy flowers and is a little bit fussier than 'Freddie', so requires soil that drains very well.
Information displayed on this page about Begonia 'Red Fred' is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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