Fact Sheet

Bellfire®
Bellfire®

Bellfire® begonia has a profusion of coral pink, pendant bell-shaped flowers, spring through autumn.

Bellfire®

Bellfire® begonia looking beautiful in the garden.

Introduction

Chosen as part of the same breeding and selection process carried out by the New Zealand Crop & Food Institute that yielded the BONFIRE® begonia,  BELLFIRE® begonia is the first of many outstanding additions to this highly successful program.

This Begonia has a profusion of coral pink, bell shaped flowers in Spring, Summer and Fall. They can cover up to half the plant. BELLFIRE begonias have deep plum foliage with serrated edges highlighted by a purple margin, and a slightly more upright bushy growth habit than BONFIRE begonias. It is a low maintenance, easy care plant that can be grown in full sun to partial shade. There is absolutely no doubt that this one is a winner!

Suggested Uses

Indoor or patio pots and hanging baskets as well as garden landscapes.

Growth Habit

Bushy upright profile as a garden plant.

Mature Height

Garden height up to 40 inches.

Mature Width

Garden width up to 30 inches.

Spacing

20 inches apart

Hardiness

Tolerates mild frost. For winter protection tips, please go to the FAQs for the Bonfire begonias.

Flowering Period

Flowers from Spring through Fall, until frost.

Number Of Flowers

Up to 50% of the bush can be covered.

Flower Color

Coral pink

Fragrance

No fragrance.

Foliage

Deep plum colored leaves characterized by serrated edges highlighted by a purple margin.

Pruning/Pinching

Branches naturally, but will benefit from a pinching to induce side branches and more compact growth.

Light Needs

Grows in full sun to partial shade - in heavy shade may spread producing lower growth, and less large flowers.

Soil Needs

Performs best in a well drained friable soil or good quality potting mix, avoid poorly drained soils.

Water Needs

Is drought tolerant once established, but for best results keep slightly moist Spring through Fall.

Fertilizer

Fertilize with a flower booster controlled release fertilizer in spring.

Disease Tolerance

If grown in heavy wet soils or over watered, stems can rot from fungal diseases.

Pest Issues

Generally not damaged by pests, though White fly may cause some damage.

Special Care

In zones 7 and above, these will benefit from digging and dividing every three years to remove old tubers and reinvigorate the plant.

 

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Tired of a raccoon drinking all of the sugar water in our hummingbird feeder, I washed the feeder and put it away. The next day my husband said a hummingbird kept coming to our sitting room window, peering in like he was trying to tell us something. Boy, did I feel bad. It's the first time in my years of feeding hummers that I had a raccoon problem. My husband suggested I place the shepherd's hook in the middle of a Flower Carpet rose growing in the flower bed where I can easily see the hummers. I hung the refilled feeder on the hook and waited. Happily, the thorns on the small shrub rose deter Mr. Raccoon and our hummers are happy again. - K. V. M., USA

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