Begonia 'Canary Wings'
Begonia 'Canary Wings'
Chartreuse leaves that emerge gold before settling into lime green, paired with red flowers that bloom steadily through the season — a cane begonia that leads with foliage and delivers on both counts.
Within the sprawling family of cane-type begonias, 'Canary Wings' earns its place through a striking reversal of expectations: the foliage, not the flower, takes the lead. New growth emerges a saturated gold, then transitions to chartreuse as the leaves expand, creating a luminous layered effect even before the red blooms appear. At 18 inches tall with a similar spread, it works well in partial shade borders or as a container specimen where that color can be fully appreciated without competition.
Growing 'Canary Wings' well requires consistently moist but well-drained soil, amended with organic matter, and a position that catches morning or evening sun without the intensity of midday heat. The arching, clumping growth habit means it fills its space gracefully rather than sprawling. In humid conditions with poor air circulation, powdery mildew and botrytis can be a concern, so give it room to breathe. As a tender plant suited to zones 9 to 10, it performs best treated as an annual in most gardens, brought in before frost to a bright, cool spot where it can rest through winter.
Begonia 'Canary Wings'
Begonia 'Canary Wings'