In a moment of garden withdrawal last winter, I picked up a cheap Rieger begonia at Trader Joe’s. It was full of buds and gave me many weeks of beautiful bright-yellow flowers.
After it was done blooming I left the plant in its spot, but soon the leaves turned crispy brown and started to fall off. Spring was rearing its head and the sun in that window was getting more intense. I suspected sunburn, so I moved the plant further away from the south-facing window. It was mostly a few pathetic bald stems by then.
I mostly forgot about my begonia over summer and fall when I was consumed with all my outdoor plants. It never bloomed, but it was starting to get some dark-green, healthy leaves again. As late fall approached and I needed to make room for the amaryllis bulbs in the window, I thought about tossing the begonia. It hadn’t bloomed since last February. That’s when I noticed little buds forming.
I’m glad I spared it because it’s in full bloom again, and it makes me happy to gaze at it and think of spring as I watch the snowflakes float by the window.
And it adds a nice little color balance to all those pink and red amaryllis blooms.
