Cultivar

B. ‘Gloire de Sceaux’

Photos

5 photos

Identity

Genus: Begonia
Name: B. ‘Gloire de Sceaux’
Originator: Thibault & Keteleer
Date of Origin: 1883
Publication Date: 1884
Place: France
Country: France
Region: Europe
Plant Type: Shrub-like
Female Parent: B. socotrana
Male Parent: B. subpeltata
Synonyms and Comments: Alternative male parent possibly B. incarnata var. purpurea
Publication Reference: RH; K; B73 r004; Growing Begonias in California, Butterfield 1950;
Article References: The Garden, v. 59 (1901); The Garden, v. 50, (1896);
Photo References: The Begonian, Sep 1968;

Plant

Description: The Garden, v. 50, (1896) Gloire de Sceaux: Winter Flowering Begonias have undoubtedly advanced in popularity within the last ten or a dozen years, owing principally to the introduction of B. socotrana and the part it has played in giving us many distinct and beautiful varieties, all valuable for winter blooming. Messrs. Veitch and Lemoine have both distributed several charming by hybrids of B. socotrana, while the present variety, Gloire de Sceaux, was sent out by MM. Thibaut et Keteleer, of Sceaux, in France, during year 1887. It was announced as a hybrid between B. socotrana and B. subpeltata, and in general appearance it is widely removed from any other variety that we have. The habit of the plant is stout and vigorous, and without any stopping it naturally forms a neat, compact specimen, well furnished with ample foliage of a thick texture and of a rich metallic tint. The flowers, too, are large and borne in good sized clusters, while their color is a pleasing s hade of deep pink. As a rule, it commences to flower about Christmas, and a succession of blooms is kept up for the first three or four months of the year, thus enhancing considerably its value as a flowering plant. Though distributed in 1887, and from that time grown to a limited extent in this country, it was not until 1893 that we were shown it in a particularly favorable light. This was when on January 17, Mr. Jennings, gardener to Mr. Leopold de Rothschild at Ascott, sent up a beautiful group of this variety to a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, when it was awarded a first-class certificate. Since that time, it has become far more popular, and is now included in all good collections of winter blooming kinds. Unlike the other hybrids of B. socotrana, this does not have a dormant period, but grows away freely during the summer months. It can be readily propagated from cuttings, and will succeed in ordinary potting compost. Care should be, however, taken not to overpot it, as if full of roots better results are often obtained by assisting with a little manure water than by potting into very large pots. Neat little well flowered specimens may be obtained in pots 5 inches in diameter, while an 8 inch or 9-inch pot is large enough for any purpose. The illustration shows a two-year-old plant grown from a cutting by Mr. W. Roberts, Thame. It was cut down once, and at the time the photograph was taken it was over a yard high. The Garden, v. 36 1889 WINTER-FLOWERING BEGONIAS. In common with the tuberous-rooted section of Begonias that flower during the summer months, those that bloom throughout the autumn and winter have within the last few years become far more popular than hitherto, and some of our most prominent hybridists have devoted their attention to the production of new varieties. Among the older winter-flowering Begonias may be mentioned several of the original species and hybrids raised therefrom, most of which are of a shrubby character, while recently the curious peltate leaved B. socotrana and some of the tuberous-rooted class have been successfully employed in the production of the newer hybrids. Of varieties not springing from either of these two just mentioned and of original species valuable for their winter blooming qualities may be especially mentioned. B. ‘Gloire de Sceaux’ - This was announced by Messrs. Thibaut and Keteleer as the result of a cross between B. socotrana and B. sub-peltata, but it certainly shows little, if any relationship to B. socotrana, though for flowering during the first three months of the year it is unsurpassed. It is a bold, free-growing variety, well worth cultivation for its foliage alone, which is of a dark metallic green tint. Where allowed space for its full development it naturally forms a pyramidal-shaped specimen that retains its leaves to the base of the plant. The flowers are large, borne in good-sized clusters and of a very pleasing shade of deep pink as a rule, this does not commence to flower until after Christmas, but a succession is then kept up for three months or thereabouts.; The Garden, v. 59 (1901) Gloire de Sceaux: The photograph I enclose is of a group of that lovely Begonia Gloire de Sceaux. My object in sending it is to draw attention to its usefulness as a decorative plant in midwinter, this photograph having been taken in the last week of December. It is not at all a difficult plant to grow, the principal thing being to get the cuttings struck early and to give the young plants a good start, afterwards growing on in an intermediate temperature all the summer. If the plants are required to flower in midwinter the temperature must be raised in the autumn, and they must be given a light sunny position as near to the glass as possible. Treated in this way it is a splendid thing for house decoration, the leaves alone being quite distinct, but when covered with bloom it is worthy of the admiration it attracts, especially if in flower in the dull dark days of midwinter. I feel confident that anyone who has not grown this Begonia and will give it a fair trial will be greatly pleased with it, especially as a plant for indoor decoration. For this purpose, it is one of the very best winter flowering plants we have. - J. G. Weston, The Gardens, Bessborough, County, Kilkenny Ireland. B. radicans as SYN. B. glaucophylla: This is one of the best of the several shrubby species of Begonia suitable for basket culture. It is a Brazilian plant, making long, slender, branching stems, from which numerous aerial roots are produced in a similar manner to the Ivy. The leaves are obliquely ovate, fleshy, and glabrous. they are dark green, with rose colored nerves, the whole leaf being suffused with rose when young. The flowers are rosy red, and borne in dense pendulous cymes from April onwards for three months. The subject of the illustration is growing in the Mexican house at Kew. The basket is 18 inches across, and was planted with six rooted cuttings two years ago. Twelve months ago, it measured 2 feet each way. At the present time it is a perfect pyramid, seven feet six inches in height and three feet in diameter in the widest part. Throughout the summer it has been grown without fire heat, whilst the rest of the year the maximum fire heat temperature has been 55°. The compost used in the first place was good fibrous peat and loam in equal proportions. This has since been enriched from time to time with a top dress of artificial manure and applications of soot and cow manure water. The specimen hangs at the south end of the house, and it is exposed to full sun. On bright days it is freely syringed, and requires watering several times. - W. D.