Begonias, Beautiful for Gifting

With all the occasions that pop up in June, gifts are needed here and there. Plants can be considered small gifts with big returns, as long as they grow well and require limited care. In particular, Begonias are beautiful plants for gifting, as they meet those two criteria: They grow well, and they require only straightforward tending.

There are collectors of rare Begonias. They might have some that require more than just the basics. But even the most unusual varieties that most of us will come across have care tags that are far from overwhelming when they list the tasks that will be ahead of us when we adopt these plants.

Is information being withheld? Is the care more involved, and are the care tag writers holding back some important details? No. Honestly, no. Most Begonias are very easy to grow. Hence, for two reasons (at least), they are ideal plants for gifting. The reasons are:

1. Everyone, from the gardening novice to the skilled plant caretaker, can have success growing Begonias; and
2. Their easy-going/easy-growing nature does not mean they are simple, uninteresting plants. No, quite the contrary…. Whether “rare” or not, most Begonias look very impressive, and anything but pedestrian.

The succulent stems of Begonias do a lot to keep the overall plants in good shape, even at times when we might forget to water them or, if they are planted outside, a brief drought must be endured. These plants are strong. Sure, they do best when provided appropriate care, and most of them do love humidity (while some absolutely NEED high humidity). But if you forget to water, if you don't fertilize on exactly the recommended schedule, if you don’t like to deadhead plants, then you’re still “in business” with most Begonias. To a great extent, they care for themselves.

So, if you’re gifting a plant in the next several weeks, think of Begonias. Most are offered commercially once they have grown to a fairly good size. That means that you won’t be gifting a tiny specimen. Instead, you’ll have a sizable potted plant to hand over to the gift recipient. And Begonias’ “special” looks—again, not-at-all pedestrian—mean that gifting a singular plant seems right. Now, if you were giving someone a Daisy, I might say that you should probably give three pots of Daisies… a nice clump that the person of honor could plant in the garden. But one Begonia stands on its own nicely—impressive, unusual, singularly special. 

Angel Wing Begonias enable the gift giver to have a reason for choosing them. “You’re an angel….” “You’ve certainly shown your wings.” (There’s no question about what the card will say for this one… play up the shape of that foliage.) But Rex Begonias, more familiar Wax Begonias, Cane Begonias… all these are wonderful options. Many do just as well indoors as they do outside in the warmth of summer, so it’s a possibility that your gift will become a well-loved and long-lived houseplant.

Enjoy June… really a perfect month. And don’t pass up any of its occasions. If you don’t have the right clothes, wear a great accessory; no one will notice the rest of the outfit. If you don’t have a gift for the occasion… well, you DO. You have a gift that will be appreciated. A summer Begonia.