Begonia sutherlandii AGM

Hardy Begonia Begoniaceae

A delightful little South African begonia that punches well above its size. Begonia sutherlandii forms a low, spreading plant with soft red stems and fresh green, often red-veined leaves, above which it produces a succession of brilliant orange flowers from summer into early autumn. Particularly charming are the bulbils that develop in the leaf axils towards the end of the season, dropping to the ground to produce new plants.

Native from Tanzania south through Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Eswatini to South Africa, it is a tuberous species of damp, shady mountain habitats, occurring at around 1,000–1,500m. Kew confirms its broad southeastern African range. 

It was described by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1868, having been collected in the Natal region of South Africa before then. 

Grow in partial shade in humus-rich, well-drained soil, keeping it reasonably moist during growth but much drier when dormant. Despite its mountain origins, it is not reliably frost hardy: the RHS gives it H2 (1–5°C). 

Height: 20–30cm
Spread: 30–50cm
Flowers: June–September
Hardiness: H2 — 1 to 5°C

A superb little begonia for a hanging basket, woodland edge or sheltered summer planting — and one that has the useful habit of making more of itself without being asked.