Begonia ‘Olympia Red’

Last week we talked about ‘Cocktail Vodka’, a go-to red begonia with a bronze leaf. For a slightly different look we turn to ‘Olympia Red’; notice that it has the same large red flowers but with a glossy green leaf. You might say this is the yin to ‘Vodka’s’ yang—an equally versatile plant with a bit of a brighter overall appearance.

Here again, the texture and height mix seamlessly into a design, while adding contrast when combined with white or pink begonias. ‘Olympia Red’ also looks striking in a pot on its own. At the end of the day, however, one or our favorite ways to use it is massed in the landscape—the carpet of color is intense, especially when seen from a distance.

‘Olympia Red’ comes in the 6-inch and 8-inch pot sizes. It’s also available in the flat 1801.