For decades, centuries even, two kinds of begonias dominated our outdoor beds, borders and containers - the neat little varieties of the fibrous rooted B. semperflorens and the bolder, blowsier tuberous B. tuberhybrida varieties. Now, breeders are turning to the 1300 other species in search of good new garden plants and one of the results is the Million Kisses Series.
With their arching habit, fresh green foliage and large pendulous four-petalled flowers held on fleshy but unexpectedly stout stems, these are superb plants to grow as individual specimens in containers - a 30cm/12in terracotta pot is ideal - or cascading over the side of a larger mixed container. The plants will usually be in flower when you put them in and will keep flowering until the frosts. Bring the pot into the conservatory and it will keep on flowering.
So far there are just two varieties, ‘Million Kisses Romance' is a vivid coral pink and has been shown off at Chelsea and all summer outside the main gate at Wisley. But the real star is the new ‘Million Kisses Elegance' - such a gorgeous bicolour it's irresistible.
There are others of this general type, but none has those lovely bicoloured flowers. Look out for the orange-red ‘Bonfire', a great success for my mother this year and last, as well as the coral pink ‘Bellfire' with plum coloured foliage. Both have been available in garden centres. And more new begonias for containers are on the way.
Begonia ‘Million Kisses Elegance' is available from Thompson and Morgan.