Summer Olympias

‘Super Olympia Red’

Today the thermometer is at 84 degrees here in Cincinnati and it’s not even officially summer yet. Temps are only going to get hotter, and that’s one of the reasons begonias are so important in the landscaping industry. For accounts that require a continuous display of color we need a plant that can take the heat and keep putting out the blooms, with the least amount of tending-to on our part.

‘Olympia Rose’

Wax begonias are reliable in this regard—they hit all the marks with lustrous dense foliage and vivid nonstop blooms all summer. We’ve been growing the green leaf Olympia series for a while now for its big bright flowers and mounds of smooth, glossy foliage. These plants always come through for us so we know we can rely on them. 

‘Super Olympia Pink’

Breeders are a restless bunch however, so now we have the Super Olympia series as well. Flowers are even larger and colors are more vivid, yet these tough plants still withstand heat and drought better than other begonias. We also like the nice uniform appearance of this series in a mass planting, with individual plants working together like a team.

‘Olympia Red’

These summer Olympias can be planted in full sun, but they can tolerate shade and partial shade as well. For brighter green leaves keep to the shade—too much sun can give the foliage a bronze tinge, especially with the reds. You’ll probably get more blooms with more sun but from the maintenance standpoint keep in mind that more sun means plants will need more water. 

Mix in a planter

We use these most often en masse for a lush carpet of color that’s visible from a distance. Pots full of vivid Olympia blooms make eye-catching accents at intervals along a stone wall—the bushy foliage fills large planters and baskets easily as well. Remember these begonias for summer repairs and fill-ins as the weather gets warmer.

‘Olympia Red’ and ‘Olympia Rose’ are available in the 1801 flat. ‘Super Olympia Pink’ and ‘Super Olympia Red’ come in the 8-inch pot.