Begonia grandis/Hardy Begonia

Begonia grandis One of the best passalong plants of all time, hardy begonias produce enough seedlings to populate your shade garden and those of all your neighbors.

Although native to Equatorial regions of Asia, it's hardy in sub-zero temps.

Details

Hardy to Zone 6.
Tolerates an amazing amount of direct sunlight, for a shade-loving plant.
About 2 feet high.
Blooms from August through fall.

Care

Mine get absolutely no care. After the first serious frost they'll turn to mush and I'll toss 'em in the compost pile.
They're late to emerge, so be careful not to disturb their growing area in the spring before you can see them.

Location Matters

I grow hardy begonias in the Washington, D.C. area, Zone 7A. If you've grown it and have comments you'd like to see included here, send 'em along.

Good Information in Print

The Well Tended Perennial Garden by Tracy DiSabato-Aust is the best-selling book on how to make your perennials healthier and better-looking.
Encyclopedia of Perennials by Graham Rice is exhaustive and an outstanding general resource on the subject.
The Complete Flower Gardener by Cutler and Ellis is another source I consult regularly.