Begonia U484 sets off an explosion of bold pink flowers against the metallic leaves at Doris Happel's garden.

The sport variant of the species tends to have larger slightly waved leaves. Harmony favors this plant.

Begonia U484 and sport variant

In December and January, Charles Jaros brought us a "sort of" new plant from the growers at Harmony. It was a sport or mutation of the species U484. The sport showed up from one of the thousants of leaf wedge cuttings done by Harmony of this medium-sized rhizomatous begonia. Doris Happel has grown B. U484 for several years in her garden. The leaves are dark green with a silvery cast and a little pink if grown in the sun. The dark pink and white flowers start late in the begonia bloom season; the plants are in full bloom now at the end of April when most other rhizomatous begonias are finishing up. The mutated form of U484 has all the aforementioned qualities, plus a little curl to the leaf edges, making it look ruffled.  Compare the two in the photos. The sport seemes to have slightly larger leaves. Harmony thinks the sport is a better plant and will discontinue propagating the original species. Doris first acquired B. U484 when our club was selling plants at the Tropical Flower Show a few years ago. Although they were beautiful specimens, none of the customers gave it a second glance because it didn't have much comparative pizzazz. Nancy Cohen and Doris both bought the plant knowing species begonias often excel here in South Florida. The plant did not disappoint! Both the true species and the variant are very beautiful.

April '07: Begonia boisiana March '07: White Begonia (B. popenoei) February '07: U402 Begonia (B. U402)) January '07: U002 Begonia (B. x 'U002') December '06:Star Begonia (B. heracleifolia)