In recent years I have been growing the hardier species and forms. Many new plants are being introduced and trialled in gardens. It is surprising how hardy some of the older forms are. Begonias of the Rex group make fantastic pot plants, but they also grow well as summer bedding. Grown in light shade with moisture they will make an astonishing display.

In 1981 I had so many planted out that there was nowhere to put them when winter came, so in october I pulled up the rhizomes, packed them on plastic bags and left them in a frost free garage for the winter. They all survived without damage, and were planted out again at the end of march.

Since then I have been a bit more experimental in my treatment of them. I have 'Green Valley' planted out in the woodland, and it has survived there now for two years. It fails to grow very well, but this is not because of the frost. It doesn't get enough water in the summer because of the tree roots. It is planted in a slight depression, so that autumn leaves fall and mulch the rhizome securely.