About Begonia boliviensis A.DC.
Begonia boliviensis A.DC. grows from a tuberous rootstock, with stems reaching a height between 12 inches (300 mm) and 18 inches (460 mm). Its leaves are obliquely lanceolate; flowers grow in pairs or threes on short stems from the leaf axils. These flowers are bright orange-pink, and each is made up of four pointed segments. The entry for this species in Hortus Veitchii describes it as: "A very beautiful plant with drooping scarlet flowers, from Bolivia, sent by Richard Pearce, and of great interest as one of the original species from which the numerous garden varieties, so popular at the present day, have been derived." The cultivar Begonia boliviensis 'Bonfire' is widely available commercially. This cultivar can be grown in containers, in hanging baskets, and as a landscape plant. It produces bright-orange, bell-shaped flowers that cover the plant from late spring through summer. Its foliage is serrated, with a distinct red margin, and the cultivar reaches 2 ft (0.61 m) tall at maturity.
