Bold, bright blooms that prefer life in the shade

Begonias are beautiful spring bloomers that offer rich color all season long. Requiring shade and regular feeding, most people grow them in patio pots, window boxes, or other places where they can be easily tended. They're also perfectly happy in the ground in shady areas, as long as the soil is rich and well-watered. Begonia blooms can reach a spectacular 5 or 6" across, appearing on short plants that are rarely over a foot tall. Many gardeners start the plants indoors in pots, and they can also be taken in and enjoyed as houseplants when frost threatens in the fall.