Not so long back I posted a profile on the Begonia Flamboyant. Today I am looking at one of the other Royal Renaissance varieties, Begonia Helen Harmes (Harms), an excellent tuberous Begonia with small single and semi double flowers.
Helen Harmes (Harms) with its canary yellow flowers makes an excellent partner alongside the showy red flowered Flamboyant.
I wouldn’t be without it, however, in spite of its identical appearance with Flamboyant except of course for the colour, there is a bit of a disappointment which I have now fully gotten over. Flamboyant starts flowering from the moment it is planted in the border at the beginning of June, sometimes even showing blooms whilst still in the greenhouse, Helen Harmes in our garden does not start to bloom until the end of July, and unlike Flamboyant it will only flower in a position that is out of full sun. In fact it performs best of all in almost full shade. In spite of this it is a lovely plant which at least looks good for three months of the season. Since finding its preference for shade I am actually starting to favour it over flamboyant. At this stage I am going to have to tell you it is very unlikely that you will find this plant. Dont give up on me yet though, please read on.
The Renaissance series of Begonias began in 1902 with the introduction of a semi double flowering canary yellow Begonia named Royal Renaissance Helen Harmes (Harms). Followed in 1911 with RR Flamboyant, bright red with yellow centre, then finally in 1932 the threesome was completed with RR Richard Galle, beautiful semi double apricot flowers.Very strangely this exquisite Begonia almost died out completely, possibly due to the introduction of the non stop variety which has become very
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