Cultivar
B. ‘Starfish’
Identity
- Genus
- Begonia
- Name
- B. ‘Starfish’
- Originator
- Blackmore & Langdon
- Date of Origin
- 1913
- Place
- Bath
- Country
- England, UK
- Region
- Europe
- Plant Type
- Tuberous
- Publication Reference
- RH; WBHC-WW
- Article References
- Revue Horticole, Anne 1913
Plant
- Description
- Revue Horticole, Anne 1913 B. Lena: The Lena variety belongs to this new breed of bulbous Begonias, whose long, slender twigs are naturally arched, and the ruffled flowers, with their elongated petals, are reminiscent of the Chrysanthemum or Dahlias Cactus flower heads. The first to date of this new breed is of French origin: it is Chrysanthemum flower, variety obtained since already about twenty years, and very researched in England. It seems that Lena comes from it, although, in some respects, it differs from it, in particular by its arches. But, on the other hand, the shape of its leaves and flowers, etc., seems to have a very real resemblance to that of Fleur de Chrysantheme. Even in the two plants there is a curious common point: the double flowers are numerous at the beginning of the vegetation, but in the following, the single flowers dominate. Then towards the end of the vegetation, the reverse phenomenon occurs, but much less clearly. Other seedlings of Fleur de Chrysantheme have also been put on the market in France for some years, such as "Perfection Rose", of the house Ferard; but it seems that this variety departs less from the type than Lena. The branch reproduced on the board coloring opposite does not come from my cultures; but I was able to see Remilly flower several of these new kinds, and I have some, brought some branches to the Horticultural Society of France. Lena, among the novelties of this kind which have given good results at Remilly, has distinguished himself by a very great vigor and long boughs, arches, very long. The flowers are numerous at the beginning of the vegetation, and form garlands of a charming aspect. I have also remarked particularly "Starfish", plant of the same kind, but presenting at first a rather Pyramidal aspect; then the branches are arched. The double flowers of "Starfish" are of rare perfection and their shape is similar to small flower heads of Dahlias Cactus with narrow ligules, a little like "Arachne". They are formed in large quantities and appear even more numerous during the vegetation than in the other varieties. The use, from the point of view of decoration, of these Begonias with arched branches must be considered in a very different way from that of the other kinds. In supermarkets they must be cultivated: in the winter gardens, orangeries, glass passages, under pergolas, etc., or for the external garnish of balconies, cottages, stairs, walls , or flower boxes, etc., in shady locations, to the north, away from the burning rays of the sun. In these conditions they will replace Petunias and Pelargonium peltatum, which require the contriare to be a very sunny site. It should not be supposed, however, that the appearance of these types with arches and flowers with light and ruffled flowers was attempted, in order to attempt ornamental trials with double Begonias cultivated in suspensions. About ten years ago, having filled a newly created winter garden, we had the place of pies of double Begonias. The effect was wonderful. It is especially "General Faidherbe", an old vigorous variety with long and flexible branches, of which the sustained flowering is particularly remarkable, which gave the best results. We can not dream of more beautiful and more durable suspensions. They only had the disadvantage of being a little fragile, given the development of plants and the amount of flowers of a certain weight. The light flowers of "Lena", its branches arched naturally, give it greater resistance; but its flowering is probably not so sustained. Besides, we are only witnessing the beginning of these new sorts, the number of which will increase rapidly from year to year, according to what I see by the news announced for 1913. - R. Jarry-Desloges.
Lineage
Parents
No parentage recorded.
Descendants
No recorded descendants.
Culture
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