Begonia 'Merry Christmas' (Begonia 'Merry Christmas')

Botanical name

Begonia 'Merry Christmas'

Other names

Begonia 'Merry Christmas', Rex-cultorum begonia 'Merry Christmas', Begonia 'Ruhtral'

Genus

Begonia Begonia

Variety or Cultivar

'Merry Christmas' _ 'Merry Christmas' is an evergreen perennial with large, puckered leaves, which are pink, edged with dark-green and small rose-pink flowers in late autumn.

Foliage

Evergreen

Fragrance

The flowers are scented

Habit

Bushy, Clump-forming

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Flower

Pale-pink in Autumn; Pale-pink in Winter

Foliage

Pink, Green, Variegated in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Caterpillars , Mealybugs , Thrips , Vine weevil

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew , Leaf and stem rot

General care

Propagation methods

Seed, Leaf cuttings, Sections of rhizome

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Begonia 'Merry Christmas' (Begonia 'Merry Christmas') will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor

Cultivation

Plant indoors in well-drained humus-rich, neutral or acid soil. Grows best in good (but not direct light) in a frost-free area. Does not tolerate water logging. Water moderately when in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser at alternate waterings.

Soil type

Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Begonia 'Merry Christmas' (Begonia 'Merry Christmas')

Common pest name

GRSV

Scientific pest name

Groundnut ringspot virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Virus affecting begonia; salad and other crops. First European outbreak detected in Finland in 2015.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Begonia 'Merry Christmas' (Begonia 'Merry Christmas')

Common pest name

Asain cotton leafworm; Cluster caterpillar; Fall armyworm; Rice cutworm; Taro caterpiller; Tobacco budworm; Tobacco caterpillar; Tobacco cutworm; Tobacco leaf caterpillar

Scientific pest name

Spodoptera litura

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest; frequently intercepted with occasional outbreaks which have been successfully eradicated in the UK.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Begonia 'Merry Christmas' (Begonia 'Merry Christmas')

Common pest name

Necrotic spot

Scientific pest name

Impatiens necrotic spot virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Present (Widespread)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Pest of mainly ornamentals and vegetables; present in the UK; and covered by the EU listing of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. To be kept under consideration in light of a review of the EU listing.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/