I like to surround our little front-yard patio with flowering pots and planters each summer. There’s one challenging spot between the barbecue grill and our front steps that only gets a few hours of sun each day, and unfortunately it’s the blazing-hot, afternoon sun.
I’ve tried impatiens in that spot many times, but every day when sun’s rays hit, the plants start flagging and acting like they’re going to die. Eventually they recover again in the late evening, but they’re really not all that attractive for much of the day.
This year I decided to try something new. Begonia ‘Sana Cruz Sunset’ is advertised as heat and drought tolerant, and the plants can even handle full sun. This cultivar is a trailing begonia that would be great for hanging baskets.
The bright, orange-red flowers contrast beautifully with pointy, dark-green leaves. The plants grow in a mounded shape and eventually spill over the sides of the pot or planter.
We’ve had a pretty mild summer, but my plants sit under a roof overhang and experience very little rain. To make matter worse, I’ve repeatedly forgotten to water them because they’re off in their own little corner. Not only have they been blooming all summer, but the foliage is still green and healthy. I haven’t had to do any deadheading or trimming of any kind.
I’ve read that ‘Santa Cruz Sunset’ can be tricky to start from seed. I’m glad I found that out AFTER I grew them or I probably wouldn’t have tried them because the seeds are pricey. Don’t tell anyone, but I paid 7 bucks for 10 seeds. As a side note, I don’t mind splurging on seeds for the handful of patio plants I sprout each year (like Coleus ‘Kong Rose’ or Wave petunias) because I figure it’s still much cheaper than buying a fancy pot or hanging basket at the garden center in the spring.
‘Santa Cruz Sunset’ was a dream to sprout from seed. I got 100% germination and the seedlings were well-behaved from the moment they sprouted in March until I tucked them into their permanent home in my patio planter in late May.
‘Santa Cruz Sunset’ grows 12 to 18 inches tall in full sun or partial-shade. The plants bloom all summer until frost and require no deadheading.