Begonia 'TORSA' hardy begonia

Torsa is a hardy begonia cultivar created by crossing Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana with Begonia “Bhutan species”. Amusingly, “Bhutan species” has never been seen by any European or American collectors, yet it appears in scholarly works on Asian species—so we’ll take their word for it 😊. Thanks to these parents, the plant combines the exotic look of large leaves and robust growth with cold hardiness and reliable overwintering. The result is a tall, upright plant with enormous leaves and delicate flowers, perfect for subtropically styled borders.

 

The leaves are deciduous, rich green on top, with a striking purple venation underneath forming an attractive network. Under optimal growing conditions, they reach 40–50 cm in length and 30–40 cm in width. They have an elongated heart shape, with one upper lobe noticeably larger than the other creating eye-catching asymmetry. The thick stems add to the plant’s colour drama: scarlet red to bright pink from spring through late summer, shifting to a muted maroon as cooler nights arrive at the end of the season.

 

The flowers of Begonia Torsa are soft pink, sometimes with a light salmon or pale coral tint. They have the typical “begonia” shape and are grouped into slightly pendulous inflorescences. Several to dozens of blooms appear on a single panicle, giving the plant a light and elegant look in bloom. Flowering usually begins in July and continues until September, or into October in warmer areas. Young plants may flower in their first year after planting, but the heaviest bloom comes from older, well-established clumps. The number of flowers depends on the plant’s vigour and good nutrition – mature specimens can open several dozen flowers at once, spread across multiple inflorescences that appear in succession, keeping the plant in bloom throughout the season.

 

Thanks to its exotic appearance, Torsa is perfect for gardens where you want to create the feel of a tropical retreat, even in a temperate climate. It stands out as a specimen in a semi-shaded corner, where its leaves form a dramatic backdrop for lower perennials. It pairs beautifully with ferns, hostas, brunneras, or rodgersias, which share similar moisture and shade requirements and enhance its large-leaved character. On the other hand, if you enjoy contrasts, try combining it with finer-textured plants such as anemones or liriope.

 

For planting, choose a humus-rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture but without prolonged waterlogging. The site should be sheltered from harsh midday sun and strong winds. The plant emerges quite late, usually in May, so patience is needed, along with protection of young shoots from slugs – it can be useful to mark its spot in the bed to avoid stepping on it during spring work. When planting, make sure the entire tuber is buried beneath the soil. During the growing season, it benefits from regular watering and occasional feeding; in autumn, after the top growth dies back, cover the planting site with a layer of leaves or conifer branches. Thanks to the B. grandis subsp. evansiana heritage, its cold hardiness is excellent: tested down to –17 °C (USDA zone 7). In warmer regions it overwinters reliably in the ground, while in colder areas winter protection is essential.

 

Last update 13-09-2025