Begonia 'Escargot'

A small snail you can love!

Escargot is a cultivator of the Begonia rex (The King Begonia). While many B. rex cultivars are very showy foliage plants, 'Escargot' sets new standards. There is nothing to match its amazing spiral leaves that look like a snail shell. Eve the undersides are a beautiful shade of red, with leaf stems covered in soft red hairs. Soft, white flowers appear in profusion in late summer and autumn.

Escargot is easy to grow. It is ideal indoors or as a patio plant in warm weather. The ideal location is one that is draught free and bright, (avoiding direct sunlight). Bright sunlight enhances the red whilst more diffuse light enhances the silver.

Use quality potting mix and fertilize with liquid feed or Osmocote slow release As recommended. Stop fertilizing when the temperatures fall below 12'C at night. Avoid very humid conditions and keep foliage dry.

Water when soil surface has become dry. During the winter the Escargot may lose its leaves. If so keep the plant on its side until new growth emerges. Cut away spent flowers.

Dutch plant hunter and breeder Dick Alderden bred Escargot. Starting with a selected form of Begonia rex 'Comptesse Louisa Erdoedy' (bred in 1883) which shows some spiraling leaf patterns, Dick patiently bred and selected through six generations until all the leaves had the spiral, and gave the plant to Clive Larkman for distribution in Australia.

B.rex 'Escargot' looks great alongside the Bat Plant (Tacca chanteri) or Euphorbia milli 'Siraya'.