Trial of Begonia Rex Cultorum Group 2005 An Invited RHS Trial The objective of the trial was to Assess for Award of Garden Merit as pot plants for the house, conservatory or greenhouse. Plants were submitted between January and March 2005 as young plants in 7cm pots. They were placed on a heated bench at 20ºC to encourage root production and covered with a 17gm fleece for several weeks. In early May they were potted on into 1 & 2L nursery stock pots, depending on plant vigour. They were potted on into one size larger standard clay pots in August using a free-draining low peat compost. A liquid fertiliser with equal quantities of N, P and K and trace elements was applied at every other watering initially, then at every watering. 87 entries were submitted by three specialist nurseries in the UK and one in the USA. These were assessed by the Floral Trials Subcommittee between July and October 2005 based on the following criteria: Habit, leaf shape / colour / markings, health, tolerance of dry-ish conditions / atmosphere. Summary of entries that received the Award of Garden Merit 'China Curl' AGM (H1) 2005 Submitted by, 6 Sandhey's Drive, Churchtown, Southport, Merseyside PR9 9PQ Plant 30cm high, 45cm spread Leaves 25cm long, 18cm wide Spiral: double Colour: dark purple (183A) with central pale grey green (194B) band. Judges comments: Superb 'Carolina Moon' AGM (H1) 2005, 2 Nursery Road, Nazeing, Essex EN9 2JE & Plant 25cm high, 45cm spread Leaves to 30cm long, 19cm wide Spiral: single Colour: Nile green (194A) with strong purplish red (59C) centre and margin Comments: nice spiral, clean markings, showy leaf. 'David Blais' AGM (H1) 2005, Llanelidan, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 2 LGPlant 40cm high 60cm spread Leaves to 25cm long 13cm wide Spiral: none Colour: bright purplish red (59B) with dark brown (200A) veining at base of leaf and around veins at margins. Has a silvery sheen when grown in low light levels. Comments: bright colour, plenty of foliage, pointed leaf, shiny impression, dark veins, medium sized leaves.
'Dewdrop' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 20cm high, 40cm spread Leaves to 12cm long, 9cm wide Spiral: none Colour: very pale grey green (190D) flushed with mauve pink particularly at centre and margins, a strong metallic sheen. Comments: neat small leaf, excellent miniature, good windowsill plant. 'Emerald Beauty' AGM (H1) 2005 Submitted by Plant 20cm high, 36cm spread Leaves 19cm long, 13cm wide Spiral: none Colour: pale grey green (147B); patches of olive green and dark purplish around margins and at base of leaf; red veining at base of leaf. Comments: small, strikingly marked, good contrast, well balanced and furnished, sturdy leaves. 'Escargot' AGM (H1) 2005 Plants 26cm high, 47cm spread Leaves 24 long, 18cm wide Spiral: single (very pronounced) Colour: pale pistachio green (130D) with strong dark olive green centre and margins. Petioles mid olive green with dense red hairs. Comments: outstanding, wonderful, lovely markings; very distinctive wonderfully original; excellent spiral. 'Fireworks' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 30cm high, 50cm spread Leaves: 26cm long, 16.5cm wide Spiral: none Colour: pale grey green (193B); base and along veins dark reddish purple (70A); margin of red purple (187A). Stems densely hairy pinkish red. Comments: good contrast of colour, strong leaf shape, striking, lively, wonderful colour. 'Helen Lewis' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 28cm high, 45cm spread Leaves 36cm long, 24cm wide Spiral: none Colour: very dark brown (200A) with reddish flush; a band of patches and spots of pale grey green (190C) 1cm in from margin, flushed mauve pink. Comments: velvety foliage. 'Ironstone' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 23cm high, 50cm spread Leaves 22cm long, 13cm wide Spiral: none Colour: greyish green (191 A&B), margin and veins at base of leaf brighter green (138A). Comments: good leaf power.
'Martin Johnson' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 30cm high, 55cm spread Leaves to 30cm long, 24cm wide, deeply cut. Spiral: single Colour: pale greyed green (193C), centre and margins pale mauvish purple Comments very distinctive jagged bold leaf; popular with the public 'Midnight Magic' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 25cm high 50cm spread Spiral: single (pronounced) Colour: very dark green (147A) with strong red flush at margins and on reverse. Comments: magnificent plant, easy to grow, good in flower. Bright red reverse, glows when sun shines through. 'Mikado' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 30cm high 55cm spread Leaves: 33cm long 23cm wide Spiral: none Colour: pale greyed green (194A), veins at base and margins dark brownish red (200A&B); red reverse. Petioles densely hairy; hairs long and deep pink. Comments: Big and vigorous, good contrast, bold markings, one of the largest leaves, attractive red line round edge, outstanding. 'Namur' AGM (H1) 2005 Submitted by Plant 20cm high, 30cm wide Leaves 18cm long, 13cm wide Spirals: single (double in mature leaves) Colour: pale greyed green (194C), central blotch dark olive flushed reddish purple (70A), margin narrow rim of olive green. Comments: best in 2 nd year; a neater more compact version of Escargot. 'Pink Champagne' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 25cm high, 45 cm spread Leaves 23cm long, 15cm wide Spiral: none Colour: pale greyish purple (186 A&B), central and margin veins dark brownish purple (183A). Comment: purplish-red metallic sheen, black lace edge; nicely displayed leaves, not too large, good pink.
'Princess of Hanover' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 35cm high, 65cm spread Leaves 17cm long, 15cm wide Spiral: single (some double) Colour: pale greyish green (194A), centre and margin very dark green (147A), edges flushed pink Comments: very elegant pot plant, well-filled, nice smaller leaf. 'Rocheart' AGM (H1) 2005 and Rhodes and Rockliffe Plant 25cm high, 40cm spread Leaves 21cm long, 14cm wide Spiral: single Colour: yellowish green (146A) spotted with very pale grey green (193A), centre and margin very dark brown (200A), margin flushed with pink. Comment: pretty speckled leaf, compact but vigorous, no spaces between the leaves; neat, attractive "twirly" leaves. 'Roi des Roses' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 27cm high, 50cm spread Leaves 28cm long, 16cm wide Spiral: none Colour: reddish purple (64A), along margin scattering of discrete, bullate, reddish purple spots on dark green ground. Comments: unique, interesting change of texture at edge. 'Sal's Comet' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 28cm high, 50cm spread Leaves: 22cm long, 16cm wide Spiral: none Colour: reddish purple (70A&B) with metallic sheen; wide margin dark purplish brown (200A) Comments: attractive jagged leaf, super plant, bold shape and markings, leaves well displayed, held apart giving light effect, pattern reflects leaf shape, compact and not crowded. 'Sea Serpent' AGM (H1) 2005 Plant 30cm high, 60cm spread Leaves 18cm long, 13cm wide Spiral: none Colour: very dark near black, blisters reddish purple (64A) scattered across leaf. Comments: upright rhizome, red spots brighter in less light, attractive leaf shape, shiny, spiky leaves all held above the pot 'Silver Cloud' AGM (H1) 2005 and Plant 30cm high, 50cm spread Leaves 19cm long, 15cm wide Spiral: none Colour: pale greyish green (194B), veins mid green (138A) Comments: upright rhizome, plant will cover the pot in the second year, wonderful silver foliage in shaded conditions.
'Silver King' AGM (H1) 2005 Submitted by Plant 30cm high, 60cm wide Leaves 22cm long, 14cm wide Spiral: none Colour: very pale greyish green (195C) with metallic sheen; veins and margins dark green (147A) with reddish purple (147A) flush. Comments: striking foliage, even habit, good reverse, leaf not too big, suitable for the average household windowsill, nicely spaced leaves and good leaf shape, plenty of foliage without congestion. The AGM recommended to the following entries cannot be published either until they are made available (it is the responsibility of the sender to inform the Trials Office when this occurs) or subject to verification of names. 'Hilo Holiday' 'Maui Mist' 'Miami Storm' Patent protected in the UK will be made available not currently available All submitted by Proven Winners Europe Ltd, not currently available 'Regal Minuet' AGM (H1) 2005 Sent by Dibleys Nurseries and Rhodes and Rockliffe, (two similar cultivars submitted under the same name). Dibley's 'Regal Minuet' 's 'Regal Minuet Sunset List (recommended to be rescinded at the AGM review in 2012): 'Merry Christmas' AGM (H1) 1993 and 'Raspberry Swirl' AGM (H1) 1993 Begonia Index 2005 Cultivar Sender Award Begonia annulata Begonia 'Autumn Glow' Begonia 'Black Knight' Begonia 'Captain Nemo' Begonia 'Carolina Moon' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Carolina Moon' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'China Curl' AGM (H1)'05
Begonia 'Cora Miller' Begonia 'Curly Fire Flush' Begonia 'David Blais' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Deco Diamond Dust' Begonia 'Dewdrop' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Di-condu' Begonia 'Elda Haring' Begonia 'Emerald Beauty' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Emerald Giant' Begonia 'Emerald Giant' Begonia 'Escargot' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Fire Flush' Begonia 'Fireworks' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Frosty' Begonia 'Frosty Morn' 'Albuquerque Midnight Sky' 'Atlanta Jazz' 'Boston Cherries 'n Chocolate' 'Chicago Fire' 'Denver Lace' Begonia (Great American Cities Series) 'Hilo Holiday' Proven Winners Europe Ltd AGM (H1)'05 STA 'Houston Fiesta' Begonia (Great American Cities Series) 'Maui Mist' Proven Winners Europe Ltd AGM (H1)'05 STA Begonia (Great American Cities Series) 'Miami Storm' Proven Winners Europe Ltd AGM (H1)'05 STA 'New York Swirl' 'Omaha Beefsteak' 'San Diego Sunset' 'Savannah Pink Parfait' 'Seattle Twist' 'Tucson Bonfire' Begonia 'Green Gold' Begonia 'Helen Lewis' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Helen Teupel' Begonia Herzog von Sagan' Begonia 'Ironstone' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Jackie Corwin' Begonia 'Kathy Shorindore' Begonia 'Lillian' Begonia 'Martin Johnson' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Merry Christmas' AGM (H1)'93
Begonia 'Midnight Magic' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Mikado' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Mr Kartuz' Begonia 'Mrs Hatcher' Begonia 'Namur' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Orient' Begonia 'Pachea' Begonia 'Peace' Begonia 'Pink Champagne' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Pink Frosted' Begonia 'Plum Rose' Begonia 'Princess of Hanover' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Purple Snow' Begonia 'Raspberry Swirl' AGM (H1)'93 Begonia 'Razzmatazz' Begonia 'Red Robin' Begonia 'Regal Minuet' AGM (H1)'05 STV Begonia 'Regal Minuet' AGM (H1)'05 STV Begonia 'Reine des Neiges' Begonia rex Begonia 'Rocheart' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Rocheart' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Roi de Roses' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Sabre Dance' Begonia 'Sal's Comet' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Sal's Moondust' Begonia 'Sea Serpent' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Shaun Henthorn' Begonia 'Silver Cloud' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Silver Cloud' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Silver Dawn' Begonia 'Silver Greenheart' Begonia 'Silver King' AGM (H1)'05 Begonia 'Silver Mist' Begonia 'Solid Silver' Begonia 'Stained Glass' Begonia 'Tornado' Begonia 'Valentine' Begonia 'Vesuvius' Begonia 'Wood Nymph' STA subject to availability STV subject to verification Senders to Trial, Llanelidan, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 2 LG Proven Winners Europe Ltd, First Floor, Silk House, Park Green, Macclesfield, SK11 7QW Rhodes and Rockcliffe, 2 Nursery Road, Nazeing, Essex EN9 2JE, 6 Sandhey's Drive, Churchtown, Southport, Merseyside PR9 9PQ A full colour Begonia Trials Bulletin will be available in October 2006. Please contact the Trials Office 01483 212440 or trials@rhs.org.uk for further information.