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New begonia varieties provide provide color, hardiness for use in hanging baskets

Lead Summary
By
George Bonnema, Luverne Horticulturalist

Today I want to introduce you to a couple of relatively new plants for hanging baskets.
The first is begonia bolivensis. There are several named varieties of this begonia: Santa Cruz Sunset and Crackling Fire are a couple of common cultivars. The name to watch for is bolivensis. This begonia does great in full sun or part shade and the color show is nonstop and fabulous! The plants do not vine but drape in arching branches presenting a mounding effect. The color range started in orange but now includes red, pink, white, and yellow. This is a very forgiving plant for tolerating dry conditions, but will rot if the soil is kept too wet.
My second and very favorite choice for a hanging plant is dipladenia, also often called mandivella. This is a plant that can handle the vicious wind we get subjected to because of its tough vining stems. It definitely needs to be in full sun.  The trumpet-shaped flower color range is white, pink, and red. Its foliage is a beautiful glossy green, and this plant loves heat. It will also grow beautifully on an obelisk or trellis if you want to use it as a specimen plant.
I also want to invite everyone to my Courageous Pruning Seminar this Saturday as part of the Luverne Chamber’s Spring Loaded Home and Health Show. I will be sharing my expertise at 9 a.m. at the historic Palace Theatre.
As I drive around, I see so many shrubs that are pruned wrong or worse yet, not pruned at all, and I acknowledge that people just don’t know how or have the courage to get the job done. So here’s your chance to learn and get your questions answered ... and it’s free!
 

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