Thanks. But, I have to say, life has changed a lot. Now that my husband retired (his last day of work was the day after my Mom's death), and I no longer have her to care for, we plan to travel more. At least I hope so. Which means that, in turn, I'll have to cut back on the seed starting and gardening in general... Life changes.

Karen

Yes, and as life changes, we all need to adjust our gardening to match!

They do survive here in NW IN. Started with one plant years ago and have very carefully divided them (they are very brittle and easy to snap the stems) over the years and then just let them do their thing, coming up pretty much where they want. It's always nice to see the red-backed leaves in the shade garden in late summer.

So they act as perennials in your Zone 5 ?
Or do you take them in for winter?

Yep - perennial here, grown in shade. They take some time to get going in the spring, slowly poking up after Virginia bluebells are done flowering. I only have the pink (Evansiana?) and always wanted to try a white one. In my soil, they don't form large clumps, just sporadic plants scattered among other things. They should be blooming soon. I don't deadhead them before fall and I usually get a few little new plants.

I am just now trying Begonia grandis from seed. The easiest propagation method is to collect the tiny bulbils that grow in the leaf axils and plant them where you want them. A single plant will get you started and can be found online easily. I find this very useful and attractive for late summer color in the semi-shaded areas of my garden. Some sunlight promotes more blooms. Hosta and fern companions are appreciated, and pink roses nearby help trying out the color.

Begonia grandis with ferns and hosta

I agree with Anita. The bubils are the easiest to start with. The seedlings come up but are so fine, they are hard to keep alive. The plant spreads a bit but can be easily out competed. I like it with ligularia. One plant can do it for you. They come up late and bloom late so be patient. I love them.

I absolutely love the red veins on the leaves. I recently gave away seeds. I'll let them know what I have read in the comments and plan to send babies in the summer, which I have so many I pull up.