Begonia koelzii

Hardy Begonia Begoniaceae

A spectacular and still rather rare begonia, with enormous, deeply lobed green leaves reaching 40cm long, spotted stems and charming clusters of pink flowers in late summer and autumn. It was discovered in Nagaland, northeastern India, and formally described as a new species in 2018 by Rebecca Camfield. The species honours Walter N. Koelz, the American naturalist who collected the type specimen in 1950. It is endemic to the Arakan Mountain Range, where it grows on cliff faces between 1,000 and 2,100m. 

Best grown in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in deep or dappled shade, with shelter from cold winds. The RHS currently rates it H2, meaning it should not be expected to survive freezing temperatures reliably, although plants have reportedly survived around −10°C under favourable conditions. 

Height: 50–100cm
Spread: 50–100cm
Flowers: Late summer–autumn
Hardiness: H2 (RHS; 1 to 5°C)

A genuinely exotic-looking begonia with a surprisingly adventurous history — and one for the collector who likes their plants large, obscure and slightly difficult.