JARDIN BOTANIQUE DE MONTREAL

The Botanical Gardens of Montreal

    When you think of Montreal, you may envision fine cuisine, great people, interesting architecture, and diverse culture.  But did you know about their spectacular botanical gardens?  The Jardin Botanique De Montreal is a plant lover's dream come true.  There are ten exhibition greenhouses to wander through, each with its own unique group of plants and thirty different outside gardens that all have different themes. 

 Some of Montreal's interesting architecture, just outside of the botanical gardens.

    Upon arrival at the main entrance, I was greeted by large baskets of Begonia 'Tom Ment'.  Once through the doors, I was immediately immersed in a tropical wonderland.  Begonias, Orchids, Bromeliads, bonsai, Gesnariads, Cacti, and much more promise to awaken your senses.

Baskets of B. 'Tom Ment'

    Huge tropical foliage plants dominate the foyer.  A little pond with turtles basking in the sun greets you.  A ceramic tiled floor leads the way to the various greenhouses.  Bromeliads and orchids one way, Cacti and bonsai another.  The question to ask yourself is: "Where do I start?"

  The tropical rainforest conservatory

Arid regions conservatory

    As a true "Begoniac" I was instantly drawn to the Begonia house where one hundred different cultivars and two hundred different species of Begonias are continuously rotated through the displays.  This greenhouse is full of rare gems like the orange berried B. salaziensis from Maurice Island and the towering giant B. valida.  Large cascading baskets of B. manii and B. jussiaeicarpa are also sure to impress.  The many shapes, textures, and colors of the Begonias at the botanical gardens create an enchanting visual experience.

     The Begonia house is also home to many plants of the Gesnariad family, which share the same requirements as Begonias.  Their beautiful and bright blooms were a joy to see!

A grouping of Begonias

 Colorful B. brevirimosa and lacy B. foliosa 

Aeschynanthus, a member of the Gesnariad family

Kohleria, a member of the Gesnariad family

    When entering the arid regions conservatory one can instantly feel the change in the air from humid to dry.  Otherworldly Cacti dot the 'landscape' and look as if they could get up and walk away!

Cacti from the 'Arid Regions' house

    In the "Garden of Weedlessness" you will find a collection of interesting bonsai trees.  An Asian inspired design throughout the house is simple and peaceful.  The meandering reflecting pool is the perfect place to pause and gather your thoughts.

"The Garden of Weedlessness"

Bonsai  

    My next stop through the greenhouses was the "Tropical Rainforests Conservatory".  Various Tillandsia, bright Bromeliads, and other epiphytes cling to trees.  Ferns, assorted Alocasia, and other foliage plants grow lushly at floor level.  There are many plants to observe and appreciate in this house!

Bromeliads growing on a tree limb

 Tillandsia hangs from a tree

A Bromeliad basking in the gloriously humid greenhouse!

    Running out of time, I decided to take a stroll to the outside gardens.  I visited in the late fall, but there was still plenty of interesting things to see.  In fact, the falling leaves revealed the garden 'structure'.  Pergolas, stone benches, perfectly maintained walkways, and even a wishing well make for a spectacular walk on a fine afternoon.

 The outdoor gardens in the fall

 A peaceful place to rest

    I unfortunately did not get to see everything that I had wanted to see in the time I was there.  Time flies when you enter this wonderland.  I would have loved to have seen the orchids and spent more time in the outdoor gardens, but there was not enough daylight!  This only means that I'll have to plan another visit!

    My experience at the Montreal Botanical Gardens was nothing short of exceptional.  A fabulous place to visit, no matter what time of year, I highly recommend you make it a destination of yours soon.

 

Introduction to the World of Begonias

An Easy and Beautiful Plant: Begonias

    If someone were to ask me what my favorite plant is, I would say: "Begonias!"  I enjoy telling people about these distinctive plants.  Their flowers and leaves come in seemingly limitless shapes, colors, and sizes.  Anyone can grow these beauties and a greenhouse is not required.  In this blog installment, I will go over some basic needs for these incredible plants.  This will hopefully demystify Begonias a little for the new person and instill in them the confidence that they too can grow Begonias!

 B. 'Othello' Rhizomatous group

    There are several groups of Begonias each with many species, cultivars, and distinct characteristics.  The two most commonly seen groups are Tuberous and Semperflorens ("wax" Begonias).  Tuberous Begonias seem to make their way into many gardens and hanging baskets during the summer months.  They are well know for their large frilly flowers that come in array of bright colors.  Semperflorens Begonias are often used in container gardens and as bedding plants.  They have waxy bronze or green leaves with pink, red, or white flowers that bloom non-stop.  Another group that is becoming quite popular is the Rex group.  Their gorgeous foliage comes in an array of colors and patterns.  I've even heard of interior decorators incorporating these plants into their designs.  Other groups include Rhizomatous (my favorite), Trailing/Scandent, Cane-like, Semi-tuberous, Thick-stemmed, and Shrub-like.  It is worth experimenting with Begonias from all of the groups.  In doing this you will find which ones will flourish in your environment and which ones you'll just be drawn to.

 B. masoniana 'Iron Cross' Rhizomatous group

    Light requirements vary within the different groups.  As a general rule, most Begonias like early morning and late afternoon sun, dappled sunlight, or bright indirect light.  Avoid harsh mid-day sun as it can cause leaf burn and could over-heat the plant.  In the winter, I keep my begonias in an east facing window or set back a bit from a south facing window.  During the summer months, I set my collection out on a table beneath the shade of an old apple tree.  It is also possible to grow your plants under artificial grow lights.

    Most Begonias prefer a temperature range of 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.  Most will survive a temperature drop to just above freezing, but plants will start to fail if the temps stay below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for a week or more.  Some Begonias will go semi-dormant or dormant if the temperature stays in the 50's or lower 60's, especially in combination with the shortened days of the fall/winter.  When in this state their growth drastically slows or comes to a halt.  In some cases the plant will have partial or total leaf loss.  If this happens to you, don't panic!  Your plant will revive in the spring!  When in dormancy, reduce your watering and stop fertilizing.

 B. 'Snow Capped' Cane-like group

    In general, Begonias only need to be watered when the soil is dry to the touch.  Begonias are sensitive to over-watering and will rot easily.  They prefer to be grown in clay pots because these pots are porous and allow the plants to dry out between waterings.  You can use one of the many water-soluble fertilizers that are available for houseplants.  Follow the instructions on the product carefully as over-fertilization  of a Begonia can kill it.  I personally prefer organic fertilizer to a chemical one and use liquid fish emulsion with a 2-4-1 formula.  I find this organic fertilizer to work the best for my plants with amazing results (the proof is in the pictures!).  I will warn you that it does stink, so for those of you with a sensitive nose it is best used when your plants are outside for the summer!  Fertilizer should be used sparingly during the shorter days of fall and winter.

    There are many mixed soils for houseplants on the market.  Look for one that is not going to get compacted or heavy when watered.  Look for a peat based soil that includes perlite and vermiculite.  Avoid soils that have a lot of twigs and/or wood chips in their mix.  A good potting mixture is light and airy.  I use Moo Mix for my Begonias, which includes compost in its make up.

A member of the Rex group

   
    The average Begonia requires 40-50% humidity.  This isn't hard in a greenhouse or outside in the summer, but winter conditions in the house will need some adjusting.  Great ways to increase humidity in your home are to place the plants on trays filled with pebbles that are kept moist, mist the air around to plants making sure not to saturate the leaves, and/or group your plants together.  There are some Begonias that require so much humidity that they must be grown in terrariums and would be sold for that purpose.  These plant do well in clear glass or plastic.  In the past I've used and old fish bowl with plastic wrap on the top with fantastic results.  Having a terrarium is actually quite fun and it's like having a mini-greenhouse for your windowsill! 

  

    The new person will have no trouble finding a source to purchase Begonias.  There are some great resources through the American Begonia Society http://www.begonias.org/ (also a great place to find more information) .  I've also found quite a variety in online nurseries and auctions.  With the rise in Begonia popularity, they are popping up everywhere from your local garden center to big box stores.

B. 'Ebony' Shrub-like group

    With all the variety Begonias have to offer, it will be easy to find as least one you'll like.  Once you've fallen in love with them, you may find yourself with a whole 'collection'.  My conclusion is that they should put a Surgeons General Warning on them ---- WARNING: HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!!!  Crazed "Begoniacs" have been known to build shelves to fit them in their windows (I'm totally guilty of that), create a grow light room, or the worst----buy a greenhouse and expand the collection!

    

    All kidding aside, Begonias are a very rewarding plant to grow and are relatively easy to care for.  I hope you'll enjoy them too and appreciate how beautiful a plant Mother Nature can make!

 B. 'Looking Glass' Cane-like group

Begonias of Another Age

    In honor of  #linnaeusday I decided to write in my blog for the first time!  #linnaeusday is about sharing plant history, so I decided to dust off this article that I originally wrote for and was published in The Begonian, a bi-monthly publication of the American Begonia Society.  Enjoy!

 

Heirloom Begonias

    There are certain Begonias that evoke memories of an age gone by.  Their presence connects us with another time when tropical plants were a novelty.  The Victorian era was filled with a sort of plant madness.  Nurserymen sent scouts around the world to gather exotics.  The newfound plants were quickly introduced to the marketplace where they fulfilled the public's insatiable hunger for tropicals.  Hundreds of specialty nurseries popped up all over the U.S. selling the latest and greatest in houseplants.  What a time it must have been when you think of how few of those original nurseries are still left.  Begonias were among the most popular plants and among the most hybridized.

    Victorian homes typically did not have much light and were on the cool side.  Only the wealthy could afford a greenhouse. When the Wardian case was invented people could have a mini-greenhouse in their home.  Many a Begonia found its way into these fancy terrariums.  Those that did not get encased in glass spent their time on windowsills and in gardens. 

    Cane-like Begonias had a proud stature in the Victorian parlor and garden.  They were prized for their cascading often spotted "angel wing" foliage and large umbels of flowers.  One of the first and still one of the best was B. maculata, discovered in the early 1800's.  Other popular cane-like Begonias included B. lucerna (1894), B. coccinea (1843), and B. corallina.

 A group of Cane-like Begonias

    Shrub-like Begonias were used in bedding as well as in the parlor with the first species of this group being found in 1688!  I found much mention of the shrub-like group in my small collection of antique books on plants. B. 'Thurstonii' (1887) with its "elephant ear" leaves and pretty pink flowers was admired greatly.  B. echinosepala (1871) was loved for its heavenly scented white flowers and elongated leaves.  B. scharffiana (1888), B. fuchsioides (1847), B. nitida (1789), and B. 'Kewensis' (1894) were also among the many grown in this group.

 B. echinosepala (1871)

    Rhizomatous were dependable and were loved for their exotic foliage and sprays of pink and white flowers.  B. 'Erythrophylla' ("beefsteak" or "pond lily" begonia) was introduced in 1845.  More than likely your grandmother grew this indestructible, smoothed leaved, pink flowered plant.  Other favorites of the time were B. 'Ricinifolia' (1847), B. hydrocotylifolia (1842), and B. heracleifolia (1830).

 An example of a rhizomitous Begonia

    B. rex was discovered in 1856 and became widely available in 1858.  Endless amounts of hybrids ensued.  They were loved, much like today, for their seemingly limitless color combinations.  B. 'Comtesse Louise Erdody' (1883), B. 'Fireflush', and B.'Silver Queen' (1875) are just a fraction of all the different varieties grown at the time.

 An example of a rex Begonia

    B. semperflorens (1821) and its many hybrids were delighted in for their floriferousness.  Begonias in the Semp group were used as summer bedding plants and in the winter kept the windowsill bright.

    Tuberous and semi-tuberous Begonias were grown in summer and then stored away with the Gladiolus and Dahlias.  I found mention of B. dregei (1836) in two old books from my collection.  It was apparently admired for its abundance of white flowers.  Also mentioned were B. 'Weltonensis' (1864), B. froebelii (1874), and B boliviensis (1859).  The early 1900's saw a surge in many cultivars of the tuberhybrida class, which were adored for their large colorful flowers, as they still are today.

    In a book, dated 1900, called Plant Culture by George W. Oliver, I found and excerpt that suggests Victorians would force cane and shrub-like Begonias into dormancy after time as a bedding plant.  He describes: "Old plants will hibernate in boxes under the bench of a moderately warm house."  Interesting piece of advice.  I myself have had success with Begonias placed in my basement to force them into dormancy.  In the same book he describes B 'Gloire de Sceaux' as "a trifle miffy" and sings the praises of B. 'Gloire de Lorraine'.  What I also found interesting was the mention and high recommendation of B. grandis, then also called B. evansiana.  It is described as being great for borders and applauded for being cold hardy.  And hardy it is, surviving as far north as zone 6!

    The general hardiness and boundless beauty of these plants sparked the fancy of our predecessors.  Now, generations later Begonias are still a shining beacon in our homes, gardens, and greenhouses.

Begonias are always a pleasure to have around the house!