Years ago I had the opportunity to visit gardens in Victoria, Vancouver, and scenic towns like Leavenworth, Washington, and was mesmerized by their hanging baskets and mixed containers. If you’ve been there, you probably have had the same dreams as The Garden Guy. And the past two years have opened my eyes to new possibilities, thanks to the Solenia begonias.

I am still stunned that they bloomed so long in zone 8 west Georgia. By long, I am talking about spring until frost. Proven Winners says these are Reiger begonias known botanically as Begonia x hiemalis. I’ve been growing Scarlet, Yellow, Chocolate Orange and the rarest color in the garden, the Apricot.

They have all shown me the same vigor, performance and longevity in the garden. But the Apricot has stolen my heart simply because of its color. Though not winter hardy, the corms can be dug and stored. That was a task for the younger Garden Guy and thus I will support the green industry with more dollars.

The flowers are large and double giving a distinctive rose form look. My backyard seems to be ideal in that in April and May when temperatures are moderate, I receive my most sun. As summer begins and the sun is directly overhead the flowers start to receive a little more filtered light.

So, like many of my other flowers, they grow in at least 14-inch pots with the very best potting soil and perfect drainage. This makes it easy to keep the soil moist and no fears of sogginess. Feeding occurs every 2 to 3 weeks the old-fashioned way. I use a dilute water-soluble mix, "the old blue jug," except I use a green watering bucket with a spout. It typically has a green tree frog hiding from predators but also looking for a happy meal.

The Solenia begonias are projected to reach about 12 inches tall with equal spread, but it seems I get more spread than that. Added fun comes as they seem to seek out a path of least resistance as they spread. Take it from a guy who wrote a color and style garden book, working with the apricot color is pure joy.

The first year I partnered Supertunia Mini Vista Ultramarine petunia, which is a heavenly combo as they both seem to glow. I also used Superbenas Whiteout and Cobalt verbenas, both of which offer great contrast and even more so considering they were in an aqua blue container. Quite by accident a Double Play Candy Corn spirea burst out with colorful new leaves making me look like a genius.

Then this year I tried using hanging baskets and planted Solenia Apricot begonia with Soprano Violet Shades impatiens with Sweet Caroline Medusa Green ornamental sweet potato vine. I'm still mystified with the attraction the violet shades and apricot have for each other. This was showy enough, but the hillside of blue Let’s Dance hydrangea blooms in the background was pure bliss.

I would be reluctant to call the Solenia begonias butterfly plants but alas it did happen a few times, and I was lucky enough to photograph Eastern Tiger Swallowtails on both the Apricot and the Scarlet selections. If not nectar perhaps they were sipping water from the petals. One thing I am certain of is that we can grow the Solenia begonias in the South and they will allow your design skills to flourish beyond your wildest dreams.

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(Norman Winter, horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Follow him on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy.)

(NOTE TO EDITORS: Norman Winter receives complimentary plants to review from the companies he covers.)

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