What Do Begonias Symbolize?
Symbolism: The Begonia Flower, A Symbol of Caution and Consideration
Whether you’re in the garden or out in a bouquet, the begonia is an eye-catching flower with an intriguing symbolism behind it — one that stands for caution and consideration, as well as good communication between different parties.
It is commonly given as a gift when paying back a favour, and has been used to communicate messages in this way since its origin centuries ago! In this article, we’ll cover the history, types, symbolism and cultural significance of this beautiful flower.
Definition of Begonias
Begonia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae that consists of more than 1000 species, both deciduous and evergreen perennials native to moist subtropical and tropical climates around the world! They are known for their beautiful and brightly coloured flowers, as well as their large variety of leaf shapes and textures which come in stunning shades from dark green to purple-red or even variegated with pink or white markings!
History/Origin of Begonias
The begonia has been around since the 16th century when it was discovered by French botanist Charles Plumier while he was on an expedition in Mexico! His work was then passed along to Michel Bégon who first named it Begonia in honour of Plumier’s mentor, Michel Bégon who was also the governor at the time! The begonia slowly spread its way across Europe before eventually becoming a popular garden flower all over the world!
Types of Begonias
There are three main types of begonias: tuberous begonias, rhizomatous begonias and wax begonias. Tuberous begonias are known for their large flowers that come in shades from yellow to pink or even white!
Rhizomatous begonias tend to have more muted colours but are still dazzling with their intricate leaf patterns! Wax begonias are also quite popular due to their small size which makes them ideal for container gardens or window boxes! Each type has its own unique look and can be used to create stunning displays either indoors or outside in your garden!
Symbolism Of The Begonia Flower
The Begonia flower symbolizes caution and consideration, as well as good communication between different parties. It is often given as a token of appreciation when one is trying to thank someone else for something they have done – such as repaying a favour or giving thanks for hospitality – thus making it a very meaningful gift indeed!
Meaning Of The Symbolism Behind The Begonia Flower
The symbolism behind the Begonia flower stems from its origin story which dates back centuries ago when it was first discovered in Mexico by French botanist Charles Plumier during his expedition there – he named it after his mentor Michel Bégon who was also the governor at the time! This gesture was seen as a sign of respect and appreciation which has now become associated with this particular flower ever since then – thus making it a very meaningful gift indeed whenever it is given between different parties!
How To Grow And Care For Begonia Flowers?
Growing begonias can be easy if you know what you’re doing – they prefer partial shade (but can tolerate some sun) and need moist soil that drains well so they don’t get waterlogged easily! You should also make sure you water them regularly (but not too much!) so they don’t dry out completely – fertilizing once every two weeks will help keep them healthy too!
Pruning is also important if you want to keep your plants looking neat – deadheading will help prevent re-seeding while pinching off stems will help encourage bushier growth overall!
Popular Uses For Begonia Flowers
Due to their stunning colours and intricate patterns, begonias are widely used both indoors and outdoors for decoration purposes – from border edges in gardens all over Europe to brightening up balconies with potted plants filled with these gorgeous blooms – they are sure to bring life wherever they go! They can also be used in cut bouquets where they mix beautifully with other flowers like roses or daisies – adding an extra touch of elegance while still standing out on their own unique way too!
Cultural Significance Of Begonia Flowers
In some parts of Europe, such as Portugal and Spain, giving someone a bouquet filled with these beautiful blooms can be seen as a sign of luck – thus making them popular gifts during special occasions like weddings or anniversaries where couples want nothing but good fortune ahead!
In Mexico on the other hand – where they originated from – these flowers have become symbols for courage & resilience due to their ability to survive even through harsh conditions – thus making them popular gifts among friends or family members who need moral support during difficult times too!
Conclusion
The symbolism behind the Begonia flower stands for caution and consideration, as well as good communication between different parties — making them perfect gifts when repaying favours or expressing gratitude towards someone else.
Not only that but due to their striking colours & intricate patterns these flowers have found themselves being used all over Europe & beyond both indoors & outdoors — adding an extra touch of elegance wherever they go while still standing out on their own unique way too !
Finally these blooms have also acquired cultural significance over time — ranging from signs of luck & fortune all the way down south into Mexico where they are seen as symbols for courage & resilience — making them perfect tokens whenever someone needs moral support during difficult times too !
