Begonia BIG® White Bronze Leaf | Begonia benariensis | Hybrid Begonia

Begonia BIG® White Bronze Leaf is an outstanding hybrid Begonia combining large, brilliant white flowers with rich bronze foliage. The dramatic contrast between the luminous flowers and dark leaves creates an elegant, sophisticated display throughout the summer.

The BIG® series was introduced as the first interspecific Begonia of its type on the market and is valued for its exceptional vigour, strong branching, uniform growth and impressive flower size.

Growing approximately 70 cm tall and 58 cm wide, BIG® White Bronze Leaf develops into a substantial, densely branched plant capable of creating impressive displays in large pots, mixed containers, flower beds and landscape plantings.

Its excellent heat and rain tolerance and reliable performance across different climates and soils make it particularly valuable for gardeners looking for a vigorous Begonia that remains decorative throughout the summer.

Plant Information

• Botanical name: Begonia benariensis
• Common name: Hybrid Begonia
• Variety: BIG® White Bronze Leaf
• Flower colour: White
• Foliage: Bronze
• Growth habit: Vigorous, upright, rounded and well-branched
• Height: Approx. 70 cm
• Width: Approx. 58 cm
• Exposure: Sun to partial shade
• Crop time: Approx. 14–18 weeks
• Seed form: Pelleted seed
• Use: Pots, hanging baskets, mixed containers and landscape planting
• Special characteristics: Heat and rain tolerant

Large White Flowers & Bronze Foliage

The combination of pure white flowers and deep bronze foliage is the defining feature of BIG® White Bronze Leaf.

The large flowers stand beautifully above and among the dark leaves, creating a strong contrast that remains visible even from a distance.

Unlike smaller traditional bedding Begonias, the BIG® series was selected for exceptionally large flowers and vigorous plants, giving it considerably greater impact in containers and garden plantings.

The sophisticated white-and-bronze combination is also extremely versatile and works beautifully in both modern and romantic garden designs.

Vigorous & Well-Branched Growth

BIG® White Bronze Leaf is a strong-growing, naturally well-branched Begonia.

Plants develop into substantial, rounded specimens approximately 70 cm tall and 58 cm wide, creating considerable volume from relatively few plants.

Its excellent branching helps produce a dense plant covered with foliage and flowers rather than developing a sparse or open centre.

This makes BIG® particularly suitable for large containers and landscape plantings, where strong plants are needed to create an impressive display.

Extraordinary Flower Power

BIG® certainly lives up to its name.

The series combines large flowers with exceptionally abundant flowering, creating a powerful display throughout the growing season.

Under suitable conditions, new flowers continue developing throughout summer, while the bronze foliage provides permanent ornamental interest underneath.

Another important characteristic of the BIG® series is its early flowering, with plants bred to flower approximately two weeks earlier than competing varieties.

Excellent Heat & Rain Tolerance

BIG® White Bronze Leaf was developed for reliable outdoor performance and is particularly valued for its tolerance to both summer heat and rain.

This makes it an excellent choice for exposed containers and garden plantings where plants need to cope with changing summer weather.

Once established, its vigorous growth and strong garden performance help the plants maintain their impressive appearance throughout the season.

From Sun to Partial Shade

One of the advantages of BIG® White Bronze Leaf is its versatility in different garden locations.

It can be grown from sun to partial shade, allowing it to be used in areas where many traditional Begonias may be more limited.

In warmer locations, regular watering is particularly important when plants are grown in sunny positions or containers.

Its combination of bronze foliage, white flowers and adaptability makes it useful for creating continuity between sunnier and more lightly shaded parts of the garden.

Growing from Seed

BIG® White Bronze Leaf is supplied as pelleted seed, making the naturally tiny Begonia seeds considerably easier to sow.

For best results, begin sowing indoors well before the outdoor planting season.

• Sow 1–2 pellets per plug or cell
• Place the seeds on the surface of moist growing medium
• Do not cover the seeds
• Light is required for germination
• Germination temperature: 22–24°C
• Germination time: approximately 6–8 days
• Keep the growing medium consistently moist during germination

After germination and early seedling establishment, the temperature can gradually be reduced to approximately 20–21°C.

Begonia seedlings are extremely small during their first stages of development, so maintaining consistent moisture is particularly important. At the same time, avoid keeping established seedlings permanently saturated.

Light & Flowering

BIG® White Bronze Leaf is an obligate long-day plant.

A day length of more than approximately 13 hours encourages flower initiation. Higher light levels and warmer growing conditions can promote earlier flowering.

When seeds are started during the darker months of winter, providing young seedlings with good-quality light can help encourage strong and uniform development.

Once established, plants can be grown outdoors in sun to partial shade.

Watering & Growing Conditions

BIG® White Bronze Leaf grows best in a fertile, well-drained growing medium with regular access to moisture.

Young seedlings should be kept evenly moist, while established plants benefit from allowing the substrate to dry slightly between thorough waterings.

Avoid both prolonged waterlogging and severe drying.

Because BIG® develops into a large and vigorous plant, specimens grown in pots and containers can require regular watering during warm summer weather.

Good drainage is especially important in large containers.

Plants should be moved outdoors only after the danger of frost has passed.

Spectacular in Large Containers

With its impressive mature size of approximately 70 × 58 cm, BIG® White Bronze Leaf is an excellent statement plant for larger containers.

Its bronze foliage provides strong structure while the numerous white flowers brighten the entire composition.

It can be planted alone in a decorative pot for a simple but dramatic display or incorporated into larger mixed containers.

The white flowers and bronze foliage combine particularly beautifully with cream, pale pink, apricot, burgundy, silver and fresh green tones.

Outstanding Landscape Begonia

BIG® White Bronze Leaf is particularly impressive when planted in flower beds and larger landscape areas.

Its vigorous growth allows individual plants to fill considerable space, while excellent branching creates a dense mass of bronze foliage and white flowers.

Plant several together to create bold summer displays in borders, raised beds, entrances and larger garden areas.

Because the plants are both heat and rain tolerant, they provide reliable performance even when summer conditions fluctuate.

Perfect For

Large pots • Patio containers • Mixed containers • Hanging baskets • Flower beds • Borders • Raised beds • Mass plantings • Landscape displays

Why Grow BIG® White Bronze Leaf?

Large white flowers • Beautiful bronze foliage • Vigorous growth • Excellent branching • Uniform plants • Extraordinary flower power • Approx. 70 cm tall • Early flowering • Heat tolerant • Rain tolerant • Suitable for sun to partial shade • Excellent container performance • Outstanding landscape variety • Professional pelleted seed

Begonia BIG® White Bronze Leaf (Begonia benariensis) is an exceptional choice for anyone looking for a large, vigorous and long-flowering hybrid Begonia with outstanding garden performance.

The striking combination of bright white flowers and rich bronze foliage, together with impressive branching, large flower size and excellent tolerance to summer weather, makes BIG® White Bronze Leaf a spectacular variety for containers, flower beds and landscape plantings.