Annuals - Begonias
Back to Annuals

  (October) I have several plants that I would like to keep over the winter. Mosquito plant, Mexican heather and begonias. Are any of these winter hardy in central Arkansas? If so, what can I do to get them through? If not, how can I over winter them inside? Also, do I need to cover my gardenia bush for the winter and if so what is the best material to use for cover?

  Except for the gardenia, none of the plants you mentioned are reliably winter hardy in central Arkansas. Mexican heather and some begonias have managed to survive a few of our winters, but you shouldn’t count on it. To guarantee these plants back in your garden next season, you will need to either move them indoors or take cuttings for new starts. I would advocate the latter, if these plants are in the ground. The mosquito plant -- a scented geranium is not going to make it, even with extra mulch, so move it indoors or store it in your garage. For the Mexican heather and begonias, after taking some cuttings, add extra mulch when the weather turns cool and see what you have next spring. Gardenias only need protection if the weather gets below 15 to 20 degrees. If needed, cover with something porous -- a sheet, blanket, or cardboard box.

 I overwintered several pots of wax leaf begonias. They did fine, and bloomed virtually all winter. Now they are way too tall and thin, but still blooming. Is there any way to get them to fill out and still enjoy the flowers?

 I would sacrifice a few blooms now, in the hope of gaining more this summer. Clip off the spent flowers, and prune the plants back by one third to one half (depending on how tall they are). Then replant the part you cut off, by sticking them down into moist soil. Not only will your mother plants begin to fill out, but the tops should root, and you have doubled the number of plants. They should be in bloom before you know it.

---

Back to Annuals