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Angel Wing Begonias thrive in borders, container gardens, and shady landscapes thanks to their upright, cane-like stems, Wing-shaped leaves, and mounding evergreen foliage. Angel Wing Begonias are also excellent plants for hanging baskets and container planting. With the flowers dangling over the side, the Begonia’s ornamental elongated triangular leaves with speckled and spotted patterns look stunning. This article from Garden How will show you the Angel Wing Begonia varieties. Continue reading our article.
Angel Wing Begonias
Angel Wing Begonia varieties, also known as cane Begonias, are a type of perennial shrub with stiff, sturdy stems and green leaves shaped like folded Wings. It is a South American native that grows all year. Angel Wing Begonias varieties can grow much taller than other types of Begonias, reaching heights of up to eight feet.
These popular indoor houseplants thrive in direct, indirect, and partial shade. Angel Wing Begonia varieties thrive in hanging baskets or pots with a nutrient-rich potting mix as indoor plants. These tropical plants thrive in humid environments with mild to moderate room temperatures.
During the summer, the Angel Wing Begonia blooms. These are small waxy flowers that grow in groups from the stems and droop or hang. Flowers are typically bright red to light pink in color.
This is a cane-stemmed Begonia with thick stems and fairly large nodes. Angel Wings got their name from the shape of their leaves, which resemble Angel Wings. The leaves are glossy with a red outer edge and a red underside on some varieties. When planted at a level where the top and bottom of the plant can be seen, the red underside makes them appealing.
You can grow Begonia coccinea and maintain it in the majority of homes. Some care requirements must be strictly followed, such as keeping them out of direct sunlight, in conditions that are not too dry, and pruning on a regular basis; otherwise, this is a very easy plant to keep around the house.
Why is this plant called Angel Wing Begonia?
Angel Wing Begonias were developed in California by crossing two Begonia species. The end result was so stunning that Angel Wing Begonia varieties can now be seen basking in the sun all over the world. However, there are some aspects of this plant that make it somewhat difficult to care for. If you’re wondering why this plant is named after an Angel, the answer is simple: the leaves of the Angel Wing Begonia plant resemble the folded Wings of an Angel.
Begonia coccinea x Begonia aconitifolia is the botanical name for Angel Wing Begonia, which belongs to the Begoniaceae family. The name “cane Begonia” refers to the thick, upright stems of this evergreen perennial plant. The Angel Wing hybrid, like all cane Begonias, is a fast-growing plant with decorative triangular or pointed leaves.
Types of Angel Wing Begonias are a cross between two Begonia species: Begonia coccinea and Begonia aconitifolia.
- Begonia coccinea, also known as scarlet Begonia or coral Begonia, has cane-like stems and broad oblong or ovate leaves with silvery spots or specks. They have pendulous coral-red or pink flower clusters dangling from red stalks in the summer.
- Begonia aconitifolia has lobed leaves with toothed margins and sunken veins. It is also known as Metallica Begonia or Holly-leaf Begonia. Silvery speckles adorn the green leaves that grow on red stems, similar to the Angel Wing Begonia. Furthermore, the Begonia aconitifolia has lovely drooping pinkish-white flower clusters.
Angel Wing Begonia varieties
Most plant varieties, including types of Angel Wing Begonia, will have different leaf types or flower colors. While all of the leaves in this class resemble Angel Wings, the color of the flowers varies depending on the Angel Wing Begonia varieties you obtain.
Here are some of the most popular Angel Wing Begonia varieties:
Begonia ‘Peach Parfait’
Peach flowers bloom in Peach Parfait. It has leaves that are medium light green with lots of white spots. These Angel Wing Begonia varieties prefer to be watered when the soil is nearly dry. In the winter, you can grow them indoors or in a greenhouse. You can grow and remove them outside on the patio or under the trees in the spring and summer.
Silver Mist Begonia
The tall, upright ‘Silver Mist’ Begonia has many pink pendulous flowers and silver-flecked lobed, wavy, ovate leaves. The stem is cane-like, with nodes that are evenly spaced. This plant prefers filtered light but can tolerate some sun in the winter. Ideally, the soil should be moist. Begonias thrive in peat-based compost as well. Different types of angel wing begonias dislike cold temperatures.
Begonia Apricot Shades
Begonia Apricot Shades blooms in apricot, amber, and lemon shades and will pour from your containers this summer. Cascading flowers can grow to be up to 15 cm (6 in) across and are ideal for hanging baskets or containers. When the sun shines, this color palette almost appears to light up, brightening even the darkest corners. Begonias prefer partial shade and a rich, moist soil with good drainage. Angel Wing Begonia varieties grow to a height of 30cm. Flowers bloom from June to September. Grown from F1 seed, the best quality seed used for exceptional plants, UK-grown garden-ready plug plants are supplied for immediate results.
Begonia ‘Super Cascade’
These Angel Wing Begonias varieties, grown from seed, produce cascades of double and semi-double blooms in orange, yellow, pink, red, and white, with plenty of contrasting green foliage. Begonias are a popular bedding plant among gardeners. They are easy to grow and weather-resistant, making them ideal for edgings, mass plantings, window boxes, and containers. Flowers bloom from June to September.
Anna Christine Begonia
‘Anna Christine’ is a low, upright Begonia with many pendulous red flowers that bloom all year and unincised green leaves. The stem is cane-like, with nodes that are evenly spaced. This plant prefers filtered light but can tolerate some sun in the winter. Ideally, the soil should be moist. It likes humidity. These Angel Begonia varieties do not enjoy being cold.
Tips for growing Angel Wing Begonia varieties
You can grow Angel Wing Begonia varieties outside all year if you live in USDA hardiness zones ten or eleven. Outside of those zones, Angel Wing Begonia plants can be grown indoors under certain conditions.
Soil
Angel Wing Begonia varieties thrive in moist potting soil. However, keep the soil moist rather than wet to avoid root rot and other fungal diseases. An African violet soil mix enriched with perlite may be beneficial to your Angel Wing Begonia plant.
Watering
Angel Wing Begonias in pots require frequent watering and misting to keep the soil consistently moist. Browning leaves indicate that it is time to water your Angel Wing Begonia plant. At the same time, to prevent powdery mildew from forming, avoid overwatering or leaving your plant in a pool of water.
Feeding
During the blooming season, feed your plant biweekly with a phosphorus-containing liquid fertilizer. In Angel Wing Begonias, this nutrient promotes flowering.
Temperature
These varieties thrive in temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature falls below fifty degrees Fahrenheit, the Angel Wing Begonias will die.
Humidity
Angel Wing Begonia varieties grow in humidity levels of 50% or higher. Consider purchasing a humidifier if the air in your home is dry. Good air circulation is also essential, so place your indoor garden in a light (but not drafty) room with windows.
Light
Keep your Angel Wing Begonia plant away from direct sunlight and instead place it in a location with bright light from an indirect source. To help your Angel Wing Begonia produce abundant flowers and foliage, strike the right balance of bright light and partial shade.
Prune
Regularly prune your Angel Wing Begonia plants to keep them from becoming leggy and overgrown. Slice off pieces below the plant’s joints with freshly washed pruning shears.
Maculata Begonia and Angel Wing Begonia varieties
It’s no surprise that people have trouble distinguishing the Begonia maculata from the Angel Wing Begonia. Both have spotted leaves that are speckled and swooping in a bright ripple of scarlet and silvered green. But a trained eye can tell them apart, and I’ll give you a few pointers to get you started.
The difference between Maculata and Angel Wing Begonia varieties
Let’s start with a look at some of the key differences between these two beautiful Begonias. While they appear to be nearly identical, there are a few subtle differences that a trained eye can detect.
Leaves
Begonia leaves are easily distinguished as their most distinguishing feature.
Begonia maculata’s leaves are breathtaking. They’re asymmetrical, with a sweeping, graceful wing with a deep scarlet underside and an upper surface covered in silvery spots.
The leaves on larger plants are frequently impressively large. Even without flowers, these Begonias are stunning, and you can grow solely for their foliage.
While Angel Wing leaves are similar, they are usually smaller and have more symmetry. They can become dagger-like and sharply angled on occasion.
While spotting is common, it is more akin to a smattering of freckles than the maculata’s large dramatic spots. The plant may occasionally produce leaves with no spots at all!
Flowers
Begonia maculata blooms from spring to fall with delicate clusters of white flowers with bright yellow centers. However, Angel Wing Begonia varieties produce flowers in a variety of colors, ranging from bright reds to orange, pink, and white.
While they typically bloom from late winter to autumn, they can bloom all year with the right light and fertilization.
Growth habit
Both plants are members of the cane Begonia family, which is evident in their growth. However, the Begonia maculata has thicker, stronger stems, and while staking isn’t a bad idea to control its flamboyant growth, you can let your maculata grow as it pleases.
On the other hand, Angel Wing Begonia varieties have more delicate, thin canes and benefit from additional support. I’ve had great success with light bamboo stakes, and even light tomato stakes will suffice. Angel Wing will otherwise sprawl out, risking snapping your treasure.
Height
The height difference between these two plants is probably the most noticeable. A full-grown Begonia maculata can reach a height of five feet (150 cm), though a houseplant can be kept in check with careful pruning. I’d keep any cuttings you get because Begonias propagate easily from cuttings when placed in water.
With a mature height of around 2.5 feet, the Angel Wing Begonia varieties are a much more manageable plant (75cm). They require less effort to control their growth.
Similarities between Maculata Begonia and Angel Wing Begonia varieties
The fact that both Begonia maculata and Angel Wing Begonia varieties are cane Begonias accounts for many of their similarities.
They are related plants, demonstrating their fundamental similarities. As we’ll see below, our two Begonias have the same basic needs in terms of light, water, and soil.
Light
Both of these wonderful Begonias prefer bright, indirect light and will thrive in the spotlight in your garden. They never truly go dormant, and have even been known to flower in the winter when given enough light.
Nonetheless, your Begonias will thrive in lower light conditions.
Water
For these Begonias, consistent moisture is the best approach. They prefer moist soil and avoid waterlogged or overly soggy soil.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings, but keep the soil moist beneath that. Depending on your circumstances, this could be as frequently as every 4-5 days in hot, dry summers or as rarely as twice a month in cooler months.
Soil
I’ve discovered that a plant’s soil needs often reflect its water requirements, and vice versa. This is the case with these two Begonias. Both benefit from “heavy” but well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
Their intricate root networks benefit from something substantial but draining. Some experts even recommend growing these two in a mix of organic matter and soil.
Fertilizer
Both plants benefit from frequent applications of liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Spring and summer growth is demanding, and Begonia’s distinctive bright blossoms require a lot of nutrition.
A higher phosphorus mix will produce flowering, while a higher nitrogen mix will promote more leaves. Whatever your goals are, regular fertilization will help your Begonias thrive.
Pests and diseases
Regrettably, these two Begonias are susceptible to many of the same pests and diseases due to their basic physiologic similarities.
Powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot should all be avoided. Mealybugs and whiteflies are common pests of Begonias, so keep an eye out for them as well.
Questions and Answers
Why are the leaves of Angel Wing Begonia turning brown?
Excessive moisture, dryness, direct sun, fertilizer, and low humidity can all cause browning tips on Angel Wing Begonias varieties.
On the other hand, Angel Wing Begonia varieties are hardy plants that can recover and thrive once a proper culture is restored.
However, during the winter months, expect a relatively slow recovery.
Angel Wings require bright light year-round, but no direct sunlight in the summer. In the winter, a few hours of early morning or late afternoon sun are acceptable.
Angel Wings can survive in temperatures that you find comfortable. Keep them away from the vents for air conditioning and heating.
Because they dislike the drafts and lower humidity levels that these areas provide.
From spring to autumn, keep the soil evenly moist while allowing the surface to dry to the touch in between waterings.
After watering, empty the saucer as soon as possible to avoid soggy conditions and rot.
Use water sparingly in the winter. Angel-Wing foliage droops slightly when thirsty.
Fertilize from spring to summer, when the leaves are actively growing. Don’t be afraid to prune the stems hard when they become bare and lean. Early spring is ideal, just before the flowers bloom.
What is the difference between Angel Wing and Dragon Wing Begonias?
Both are cane variety Begonias that look great as single specimens or mixed with other Begonia varieties and other shade-loving plantings.
Angel Wing/Angel leaf and Dragon Wing/Dragon leaf are terms that are frequently used interchangeably. Both are named after their leaf shapes. Officially, the difference between the two is in their foliage and growth habits.
Angel Wing Begonia varieties, distinguished by obliquely-shaped leaves with serrated edging and red undersides, have an upright cane stem and can grow to be 5 to 6 feet tall. The leaves can reach a length of 5 to 6 inches. The leaves are typically spotted or frosted, with jagged or serrated edging. They bear blooms ranging in color from red to pink to white. The Dragon Wing was created by crossing the Angel Wing and the waxed leaf Begonia.
The Dragon Wing is also a cane, but the stems are 2 to 4 feet long and less sturdy, so they arch gracefully. The leaves range in size from 2 to 5 inches long and are a deep, glossy green. The flower clusters range from bright red to pink to white and last for the majority of the year.
Dragon Wings are frequently grown in hanging baskets because their drooping blooms and hanging stems make a very attractive and low-maintenance patio plant.
Conclusion
In this article, Garden How provided information related to Angel Wing Begonia varieties. We also fully guide you to tips for growing an Angel Wing Begonia, distinguish between Maculata and Angel Wing Begonia, and answer some questions related to these subjects. If you like these varieties, you can consider choosing an Angel Wing Begonia variety to fill in your garden.
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