I’ve been personally perennializing my begonias for many years indoors. I can say from experience that it is super easy. Taking them in their pots in the fall, begonias make excellent houseplants. But before we get into the details, we should mention that there are two distinctly different types of begonias.
Actually, there are 1600. But that’s species; we’re talking about the two main types of fibrous-rooted begonias here. The “Dragonwing” begonias and wax begonias are the popular line of hybrids with big leaves and very colorful flowers—are an example of the ‘bedding plant’ type, sold as seeds or small plants and meant to be displayed in shady gardens from spring until fall, when the first frost kills them—same as other annuals like marigolds and impatiens.
The other type is the tuberous begonias. These fall into the category of ‘ summer blooming bulbs’. Like dahlias, tuberous begonias are sold as big bulbs or rhizomes (the ‘tubers’) and are typically planted in containers, so that you can easily take the root out before the first hard frost and store it indoors for the winter as they will go dormant and regrow sometime in the spring. It may be easier to buy new ones (either tubers or the actual flowering plant).
As for the fibrous-rooted begonias, I just bring the whole pot inside. If you can provide bright enough light either east or south window, they’ll bloom indoors all winter.
There are the usual perennials we plant in South Dakota, knowing the cold winters will not harm them. The standards, hollyhocks, hosta, peonies, etc. There are the unusual perennials than the standbys, try planting different kinds of perennials with their own allure.
Monkshood (Wolf bane)
Spikes of large purple-blue hooded flowers are held above,
shiny, green, dissected foliage. NOTE: All parts of the plant are poisonous,
especially the roots. Deer AND rabbit resistant. Long blooming. Prefers partial
shade to shade. Plant in fertile, cool, well-drained, moist soil.
Monkshood
Allium
2″ globes of purply-pink blooms flower in
early summer over clumps of deep green, flattened grass-like leaves. Grows
(depending on variety) 2-3 foot tall. Grown from bulbs.
Allium
Aster
Purple, white, and pink flowers for 4-6 weeks over compact
clumps of dark green foliage that is disease resistant. Best in full sun to
light shade and normal moisture. Blooms in later summer to freeze. Much tougher
than mums.
Aster
Globe
Thistle
These
perennials are one of the easiest plants to maintain. They tolerate drought
conditions once established and have few pest or disease problems. You can cut
back the basal foliage to encourage re-bloom. The catalogs say if you do not
want any reseeding problems, take off the flower heads after the color fades. I
have never had one seedling that grew. Globe thistle care is minimal and you
will enjoy watching the bees.
Globe Thistle
Bee
Balm
The bee balm plant is a North American native, thriving in woodland areas. Also known by its botanical name of Monarda, bee balm is very attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The bee balm flower has an open, daisy-like shape, with tubular petals in shades of red, pink, purple and white. Bee balm plants are perennial, coming back year after year to add cheerful color to your garden. There are many varieties now coming in white, red, pink, and purple. The leaves can be steeped and made into a tea which the colonists used as a tea substitute.
Bee Balm
Chinese
lantern
If
you see a resemblance between Chinese lanterns and tomatillos or husk tomatoes,
it’s because these closely related plants are all members of the nightshade
family. The spring flowers are pretty enough, but the real delight of a Chinese
lantern plant is the large, red-orange, inflated seed pod from which the plant
gets its common name. These papery pods enclose a fruit that is edible though
not very tasty. While the leaves and unripened fruit are poisonous, many people
like to make use of the pods in dried flower arrangements.
Chinese Lanterns
Goldenrods
Goldenrods spring up en masse in the natural summer landscape. Topped with plumes of fluffy yellow flowers, goldenrod is sometimes considered a weed. Goldenrod plants are clump-forming perennial wildflowers that exist on rainwater and add a golden beauty to the landscape. Often thought of as the cause of summer allergies, the species is falsely accused, as the pollen from allergy-creating ragweed is present at the time of goldenrod blooms. All goldenrods are late bloomers, flowering in late summer throughout fall with stunning bright yellow flowers.
Goldenrod
Obedient plant
Growing obedient plants in the garden add a bright, spiky flower to the late summer and fall flower bed. Physostegia virginiana, commonly called the obedient plant, produces spikes of attractive flowers, but beware of your interpretation of obedient. Growing obedient plants got the common name because stems can be bent to stay in place, not for the plant’s habit in the garden. Being a relative of the mint, give it space. Varieties come in white, pink, and purple colors.
Drab hallways, areas by staircases, or an unused corner are one of the highest traffic areas in the home. But is your hallway duller and darker than light and airy? It’s easier than you think to transform your hallway or any used corner with purpose.
For a great welcoming look, move away from dark colors and poorly lit lighting. Instead, bring your home entrance area to life with large mirrors, a pop of color and smart storage.
It may feel like a long, often awkwardly shaped corridor at
times, but the hallway should still be treated as if it were a room. We speak
to the experts to find out just how to brighten up a hallway, whatever the
size.
Lighting is perhaps one of the easiest ways to brighten up your hallway, and there are plenty of options for this, too. Wall sconces are winners with narrow hallways, while ceiling spotlights also cleverly keeps the area looking tidy. Avoid heavy, low-hanging lights for space as compact as this.
Choose a wall-mounted light that directs light upward to cast a soft diffused light against the wall and ceiling. These are most effective when used in conjunction with a dimmer switch. If you have space, add a floor lamp to brighten up dark corners and create a warm glow within your hallway.
Fresh shades of white, cream or soft pastels can easily refresh your hallway. If you are able to redecorate, giving a fresh lick of paint to your space will elevate your home almost immediately.
If you want to make a bold statement, opt for a pop of color. Giving your hallway character with color is a smart way to brighten up the welcoming area. Color is a wonderful way to brighten up and to add dimension to a hallway. A vibrant shade of sage green or ochre – which has become incredibly popular recently – will breathe life into a hallway. You can never go wrong painting space in a very simple bright white, too.
And if you’re really feeling brave, why not embrace the trend of flower-strewn panels? These bold blooms might seem bright for a hallway, but you will be sure to create a scene-stealing entrance.
If you’re looking to completely redecorate your hallway space, start with the flooring. Whether you opt for hallway tiles, a soft carpet or marble stone, this will dramatically enhance your entrance area.
A door with clear or translucent glass is a fantastic way of flooding a hallway with light and therefore making it seem larger and lighter.
The choice of flooring for the hallway will also have a bearing on how light space feels. Opting for a lighter scheme with large tiles or wooden planks will create the illusion of more space as well as visual impact.
While a hallway may feel like one of the smallest spaces in
the home, it doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with the standout features you
love.
Try using a metallic paint as a paint effect over a matt
emulsion to add shine and reflection and bring a space to life.
Elsewhere, mirrors and glossed console tables are excellent accessories worth investing in. ‘You could buy lots of different shapes and sizes of mirrors, both old and new, then paint the frames the same color as the wall and group together.
