Introduction
Imagine walking onto your porch on a warm July morning to find a waterfall of vibrant, rose-like blooms spilling over the edge of your favorite hanging basket. There is a unique joy in watching weeping begonias—also known as pendula or cascading begonias—transform a shaded corner into a lush, colorful retreat. These plants are famous for their ability to thrive in low-light areas, offering a level of elegance and "flower power" that few other shade plants can match.
Finding these beautiful plants is the first step toward a more colorful summer garden. Whether you are looking for specific colors to match your outdoor decor or want the largest possible blooms, knowing where to shop makes all the difference. At Longfield Gardens, we want to make your gardening journey as smooth as possible by helping you find high-quality plants that arrive ready to grow. Explore the begonia flower bulbs collection to compare available colors, classes, and container-friendly options.
In this guide, we will explore the best places to find weeping begonias, what to look for when shopping online or in person, and how to choose the right varieties for your home. Finding the perfect weeping begonia plant starts with understanding your options and choosing a supplier that prioritizes plant health and variety.
Understanding the Weeping Begonia
Before you start your search, it is helpful to know exactly what you are looking for. The term "weeping begonia" usually refers to tuberous begonias with a cascading growth habit. Unlike upright begonias that grow straight toward the sky, these varieties have stems that naturally arch and trail downward. This makes them the gold standard for hanging baskets, window boxes, and the edges of raised planters.
These plants are grown from tubers, which are thickened, fleshy underground stems that store energy for the plant. When you look for where to buy these, you will often find them sold as dormant tubers in late winter and early spring, or as started plants in nursery pots later in the season. Buying the tubers directly gives you access to a much wider range of colors and flower shapes than you might find at a local big-box store. For additional background, read this guide on how to grow and care for begonias.
Buying Online vs. Buying Locally
When you are ready to add these beauties to your collection, you generally have two main paths: ordering from an online specialist or visiting a local garden center. Both options have their benefits, and the best choice often depends on your timeline and how many plants you need.
Shopping at Online Specialists
For most gardeners, online retailers offer the best selection and value. Specialty bulb and tuber companies like us work directly with growers to source the best varieties available.
One of the biggest advantages of shopping online is the variety. While a local store might only carry "red" or "pink" begonias, an online specialist can offer specific varieties like 'Cascading Florence' or 'Pendula White.' You can choose between single-color packs or carefully curated mixes that take the guesswork out of color coordination.
Shopping online also allows you to plan your garden months in advance. You can place your order in the middle of winter while you are dreaming of spring, and the company will hold your order until the weather is right for shipping to your specific area. This ensures you get first pick of the best stock before it sells out. Review the begonia planting and timing guide before placing your order.
Shopping at Local Nurseries
Local garden centers are a great option if you are looking for instant gratification. In late spring, nurseries often have begonias that are already several inches tall and perhaps even beginning to bloom. This is a good way to see exactly what the foliage and flowers look like before you commit.
However, the selection at local stores is often limited to the most common varieties. You may also find that prices are higher for started plants because you are paying for the nursery’s time, soil, and greenhouse space. If you have a large porch with many baskets to fill, the cost of buying individual potted plants can add up quickly compared to buying a bag of tubers.
What to Look for in a Quality Retailer
Regardless of where you choose to shop, you want to ensure you are getting healthy, high-quality plants. A reputable seller should provide clear information about their products and stand behind what they sell. Longfield Gardens explains its sourcing, trial gardens, and 100% quality guarantee.
- Size Specifications: For begonias, the size of the tuber matters. Look for retailers that list the tuber size in centimeters (such as 5/6 cm or 6+ cm). Larger tubers generally have more stored energy, which leads to more stems and a more impressive display of flowers.
- Variety Names: Avoid stores that only use generic labels like "assorted begonias." A high-quality retailer will provide the specific variety name so you know exactly how the plant will grow and what color the flowers will be.
- Clear Shipping Policies: Since begonias are sensitive to cold, the seller should have a clear schedule for when they ship to different regions based on local temperatures. Check the shipping information page for current schedules and delivery details.
- Customer Support: A good company should be easy to contact if you have questions about planting or if an issue arises with your order.
Key Takeaway: For the best selection and value, look for a specialist that provides specific variety names and tuber sizes. Ordering early in the season ensures you get the best varieties before they sell out.
Why Buying Tubers is Often the Best Choice
If you are wondering whether to buy a finished plant or start with tubers, consider the benefits of starting from scratch. While it takes a little more patience, the results are often more rewarding.
Better Root Development
When you start a begonia from a tuber at home, the plant develops its root system in its permanent home. This prevents transplant shock, which can happen when a plant is moved from a small nursery pot into a large hanging basket. A plant with a strong, undisturbed root system is more resilient to heat and more likely to bloom prolifically all summer long.
Cost-Effectiveness
Tubers are significantly less expensive than started plants. This allows you to create a high-impact display on a budget. You can often buy three or four high-quality tubers for the same price as one large pre-planted hanging basket.
The Excitement of Growth
There is something incredibly satisfying about watching a dormant, brown tuber sprout its first tiny green leaves. As the stems grow and begin to drape over the sides of the pot, you get to witness the entire transformation. It turns gardening into a season-long experience rather than just a one-time purchase.
When to Buy Your Weeping Begonias
Timing is everything when it comes to begonias. Because they are tropical plants, they cannot handle frost or even very chilly nights. This affects when you should buy them and when they will arrive at your door.
Most online retailers begin taking pre-orders for begonia tubers in late fall or early winter. At Longfield Gardens, we typically begin shipping orders in the spring, once the danger of hard freezes during transit has passed. We time our shipments based on your USDA hardiness zone so that your tubers arrive about two weeks before the ideal indoor starting time for your area.
If you are buying from a local store, you will typically find them in the "bulb aisle" as dormant tubers in March and April, or as started plants in the greenhouse in May and June. You can also review the Hardiness Zone Map when planning your purchase.
A Note on Shipping Restrictions
When buying plants online, it is always a good idea to check for regional restrictions. While begonias generally do not have the same strict regulations as some other plants, most US-based companies only ship within the 48 contiguous United States. We do not ship to Hawaii, Alaska, or international addresses due to complex agricultural regulations.
Evaluating Tuber Quality at Home
Once your order arrives, it is important to inspect your tubers. Healthy begonia tubers have a unique appearance—they look a bit like dark, fuzzy, concave hockey pucks. This begonia growing guide provides additional information about tuber preparation and care.
- Firmness: The tuber should feel firm and heavy for its size. Avoid any that feel mushy or extremely light and hollow.
- Surface Texture: It is normal for tubers to have some dry, papery skin or a bit of peat moss clinging to them.
- The "Bowl" Shape: Most weeping begonia tubers have a distinct "up" and "down" side. One side is slightly hollowed out like a shallow bowl. This is the top, where the sprouts will emerge.
- Signs of Life: Depending on when they are shipped, you might already see small pink or white "eyes" (buds) starting to sprout in the center of the hollowed-out side. This is a great sign that the plant is ready to grow.
Creating Your Shopping List: Popular Colors and Styles
As you search for where to buy, you will see a wide range of colors. Deciding on a color scheme beforehand can make the shopping process much easier. The begonia collection includes options in colors such as pink, white, yellow, orange, peach, red, and mixed combinations.
Classic Solid Colors
- Red: These offer a bold, dramatic look that stands out beautifully against dark green foliage.
- Yellow: Perfect for brightening up a dark corner, yellow begonias seem to "glow" in the shade.
- White: For an elegant, clean look, white pendula begonias are hard to beat. They look especially stunning in evening light.
Bicolors and Pastels
- Picotee: These varieties have petals with a contrasting edge color, such as white with a thin pink border.
- Salmon and Apricot: These warm, soft tones create a tropical feel and blend well with other shade plants like ferns and hostas.
What to Do Next:
- Identify the shaded areas of your yard that need a boost of color.
- Measure your hanging baskets to determine how many tubers you need (usually 3 per 12-inch basket).
- Browse online selections in mid-winter to secure your favorite colors.
- Check the tuber sizes listed to ensure you are getting large, healthy stock.
How We Ensure Quality and Success
When you choose to shop with us, we take several steps to ensure you are happy with your garden. We work with trusted growers in Holland and other major bulb-growing regions to bring you premium varieties. Our team maintains a trial garden where we evaluate these plants ourselves to make sure they perform well in real-world conditions.
We stand behind our plants with a 100% quality guarantee. We promise that your items will be true to the variety you ordered and will arrive in prime condition for planting. If your tubers arrive damaged or there is a labeling error, we ask that you contact us promptly. If you encounter a performance issue during your first growing season, we are here to help with a replacement, store credit, or refund depending on the situation.
Planning Your Growing Space
Knowing where to buy is only half the battle; you also need to know if your space is right for these plants. Weeping begonias are surprisingly easy to care for, but they do have a few "must-haves" for success. For more detailed advice, read where to plant begonias for the best results.
Light Requirements
These are the superstars of the shade. They thrive in filtered light, dappled sun, or morning sun with afternoon shade. If you have a porch that faces north or east, weeping begonias will likely love it there. Avoid placing them in full, hot afternoon sun, as this can scorch the delicate petals and leaves.
Drainage is Essential
The one thing begonias do not like is "wet feet." This is why buying the right potting mix is just as important as buying the right plant. Use a high-quality, well-draining potting soil designed for containers. Make sure your hanging baskets or pots have plenty of drainage holes at the bottom so excess water can escape freely. See this begonia sun, shade, and drainage guide for more help.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Gardening is a partnership with nature, and results can vary based on your local weather and soil conditions. While we provide the highest quality tubers, factors like an unusually cold spring or a record-breaking heatwave can affect how fast your begonias grow.
Patience is a key part of the process. Begonias are not the fastest starters. It can take several weeks for the first sprouts to appear, and even longer for the stems to begin trailing over the edge of the pot. However, once they get going, they are incredibly consistent performers that will continue to bloom until the first frost of autumn.
Simple Tips for Planting Your New Tubers
Once you have found where to buy your plants and they have arrived at your door, the planting process is straightforward. Use this guide to planting begonia tubers for a step-by-step overview.
- Wait for Warmth: Do not plant begonias outdoors until the soil is warm and all danger of frost has passed.
- Start Indoors for an Early Start: You can start your tubers in small pots indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost. This gives them a head start so you have flowers sooner in the summer.
- Correct Depth: Place the tuber with the hollow (concave) side facing up. Cover it with only about an inch of soil. Planting them too deep can slow down their growth.
- Water Carefully: Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy. Avoid pouring water directly into the "bowl" of the tuber, as this can cause it to rot before it sprouts. Water the soil around the edges instead.
Conclusion
Finding where to buy a weeping begonia plant is the beginning of a rewarding summer project. Whether you choose the convenience of a local nursery or the vast variety and value of an online specialist, adding these cascading beauties to your home is a decision you won't regret. By starting with high-quality tubers and providing the right shade and drainage, you can enjoy a spectacular display of color all season long.
- Shop early in the season for the best selection of colors and varieties.
- Look for large, firm tubers that are clearly labeled by variety.
- Choose a retailer like Longfield Gardens that stands behind their products with a quality guarantee.
- Give your plants the gift of shade and good drainage for the best blooms.
We are here to help you grow a more beautiful life, one bloom at a time. The wait for those first cascading flowers is always worth it, and we look forward to seeing your garden thrive.
"A well-placed hanging basket of weeping begonias can turn a simple porch into a lush, tropical sanctuary that brings joy every time you come home."
FAQ
When is the best time to buy weeping begonias?
The best time to buy is late winter or early spring (January through March) if you are ordering online. This allows you to secure the best varieties before they sell out, with the company shipping them to you once the weather is safe for transit in your area. Check the shipping schedule for details about timing by zone.
Can I buy weeping begonias as started plants?
Yes, most local garden centers sell started weeping begonias in hanging baskets or nursery pots during the late spring months. While more expensive than buying tubers, this is a great option if you missed the early spring planting window or want instant color for your patio.
Will my weeping begonias come back every year?
In most parts of the US (Zones 3-9), begonias are treated as annuals because they cannot survive freezing temperatures. However, you can save the tubers at the end of the season by digging them up and storing them in a cool, dry place indoors to replant the following spring. Check your location with the Hardiness Zone Map.
How many begonias should I buy for a 12-inch hanging basket?
For a full, lush look, we recommend planting three tubers in a standard 12-inch hanging basket. This gives the plants enough room to grow while ensuring the basket looks overflowingly beautiful once the stems begin to cascade over the sides. Learn more about growing begonias in hanging baskets.
