BEGONIA. This is a huge group of perennials, scattered nearly throughout the tropical and subtropical portions of the world. They have succulent stems and mostly fleshy, usually asymmetrical leaves. The flowers have variable, usually unequal numbers of colored sepals and petals. They are often quite showy. Besides the familiar bedding types, large-leaved house plants and dazzling tuberous hybrids, there are hundreds more of ornamental interest. Here are just a few of them. Light to medium shade, well drained soil, and moderate to regular watering. Hardiness as shown.

x fuchsifoliosa ‘Yolanda’. This is a leafy perennial, up to 4' high and 6' or more broad, with arching stems. The young shoots are lined with bright green, rather narrow 1" leaves. Nodding beneath them in the warmer months are deep rose pink blossoms, whose flared form recalls the fuchsias.

grandis evansiana. East and Southeast Asia. A tuberous rooted perennial with thick reddish stems up to 3' tall (less in ours). Large, tapered, red tinged leaves give it an almost tropical appearance. In summer and early fall it bears drooping clusters of deep pink, fragrant flowers, each a little over 1" across. The plant dies down completely in winter, and the tubers tolerate some freezing of the soil around them.

multiflora (fuchsioides) var. rosea. Central America. A beautiful perennial, far more graceful than most familiar begonias. It grows 2-3' tall, with slender, upright, arching stems. These are lined by neat rows of narrowly oval, softly shiny leaves about 1" long. It is almost perpetually in bloom along the coast, carrying nodding sprays of soft pink flowers, about 3/4" broad, with much the appearance of little fuchsias. Evidently hardy to 25^oF or less. Another round of thanks to Patrick Worley.