We all forget the Begonias, and I think it is a shame! They add much needed color in the late summer right up until hard frost. I consider them the perfect fill in for the bare areas that occure during the late summer. They love the cool nights and warm days and are non-stop bloomers.
There are so many new strains to pick from, some with pale green foliage while others are a deep burgandy. They come in a wide selection of colors (from pure white to deep red), as well as doubles and bi-colors.
As to sun exposure, they thrive in full sun to full shade (they do bloom better in full to partial sun). They love a rich soil that retains moisture, so mulching is needed. Bi-weekly doses of fertilizer ( I prefer a water soluable type, 10-30-15 is a good ratio) really helps the plants to develop a steady supply of flowers!
Begonia