Begonia palmata 'Dark Star'

Palm Leaved Begonia Begoniaceae

A particularly handsome form of the variable Begonia palmata, ‘Dark Star’ is grown for its large, deeply divided, dark green foliage, which emerges flushed reddish before maturing to a rich, glossy green. Tall stems carry generous sprays of pink flowers in summer, held well above the foliage. ‘Dark Star’ was collected in Taiwan by Patrick Blanc in 2009 in the Taroko Valley, and is preserved under his collection number PB 09-1209; the neighbouring collection number PB 09-1208 represents another B. palmata gathered during the same Taroko expedition. Blanc’s photographs from the period document his work in the Taroko area in December 2009, while the plants occur in the region on shaded, damp and often limestone-associated sites. 

Give it humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in shade or dappled light, with shelter from cold winds. An excellent woodland begonia for the adventurous gardener — although in Britain it remains a plant to watch rather than a guaranteed hardy perennial.

• H2 – 1 to 5°C
• Height: 40–90 cm
• Spread: 40–60 cm
• Flowers: July–September