Why would we choose a wax begonia for Petula’s WOW list? Once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all, right? That’s what we thought last Spring.
I’ll admit it, we were wrong. This 2014 introduction from Proven Winners is no ordinary wax begonia, more like the super flower. The Begonia benariensis ‘Surefire’ Series has an grows upright and is taller (12-24”) than the usual landscape wax Begonias. The height gives an unexpected color boost in a garden bed…we weren’t used to seeing begonias so tall! But the real WOW factor: they don’t stop blooming…ever! OK, at least until a hard frost or two. They reliably bloomed all summer with no deadheading, experienced torrential rainfall in September, and with flowers intact, were pelted with more rain & wind in October. Sadly, they finally gave it up after the second hard frost in early November. If you’re going to spend money on a garden annual, these give excellent value and performance.
- Structure (Filler)
- Height: 12-24” tall
- Hardiness: 30 – 35 degrees. (Zone 10-11)
- Watering/Fertilizer: Regular watering/fertilizing needs.
- Planting Partners: Perennials, Annuals, Foliage
Although a few blooms are on the ground, the Surefire’s held up stupendously after some rough September storms.