{"product_id":"begonia-top-hat-scarlet","title":"Begonia Top Hat Scarlet","description":"\u003ch2 data-pm-slice=\"1 3 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant Overview\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBegonia Top Hat Scarlet (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBegonia x hybrida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ‘Tophat Scarlet’) is a vibrant flowering ornamental plant prized for its large, brilliant scarlet-red blooms, glossy green foliage, and attractive, well-branched growth habit. Part of the Top Hat series, this variety produces exceptionally large flowers with contrasting yellow centers, creating a bold display throughout the growing season. Bred for excellent heat tolerance and versatile garden performance, Top Hat Scarlet thrives in Florida's warm climate and performs beautifully in partially sunny or shaded locations. Its full, upright growth makes it an excellent choice for landscape borders, mass plantings, flower beds, and decorative patio containers. With its extended blooming season and relatively low-maintenance requirements, this colorful begonia adds lasting beauty to residential and commercial landscapes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Plant Characteristics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBegonia x hybrida\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ‘Tophat Scarlet’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Begonia Top Hat Scarlet, Tophat Scarlet Begonia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tender perennial, commonly grown as an annual\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 16–20 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMature Spread:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 20–24 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate to fast-growing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Upright, mounding, bushy, and well-branched\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Glossy, rich green leaves with a rounded, slightly asymmetrical shape\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Large, vibrant scarlet-red blooms with contrasting yellow centers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlooming Season:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Late spring through fall, with extended flowering possible in frost-free conditions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Zone 11a for perennial growth; commonly grown as an annual in colder regions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlorida Growing Zones:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Suitable for seasonal planting throughout Florida. Year-round outdoor growth is most reliable in frost-free areas of South Florida, particularly Zone 11. In Central and North Florida, grow as a warm-season annual or protect plants during freezing temperatures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSunlight Requirements:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Partial sun to partial shade; also tolerates full shade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Exceptionally large red flowers, heat-tolerant, long-blooming, attractive green foliage, and suitable for landscape beds and decorative containers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant Care Guide\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Plant in partial sun to partial shade for healthy growth and abundant flowering. Morning sunlight with afternoon shade is especially beneficial during Florida's hottest summer months. Top Hat Scarlet can also tolerate full shade, although flowering may be reduced in locations with limited natural light.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatering:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Water thoroughly after planting to establish a healthy root system. Maintain consistent soil moisture, allowing the upper layer to dry slightly between waterings. Provide supplemental water during prolonged dry periods, particularly for container-grown plants. Avoid consistently saturated soil, which can contribute to root problems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoil:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Prefers fertile, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. When planting in Florida's sandy soils, incorporate compost to improve moisture retention and nutrient availability while maintaining proper drainage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFertilizing:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during active growth to support healthy foliage and abundant flowering. Container-grown plants may benefit from occasional diluted liquid fertilizer according to product directions. Avoid excessive feeding, which may encourage unnecessary foliage growth or fertilizer salt buildup.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePruning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Minimal pruning is necessary due to its naturally full, well-branched growth habit. Remove yellowing leaves, damaged stems, and faded flowers as needed to maintain an attractive appearance. Light trimming can encourage fuller growth, although regular deadheading is generally unnecessary.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCold Protection:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Begonia Top Hat Scarlet thrives in warm temperatures but is sensitive to frost and freezing conditions. Protect outdoor plants during cold snaps, particularly in North and Central Florida. Move container-grown plants to a sheltered location when freezing weather is expected.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePests \u0026amp; Diseases:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Monitor for common begonia pests, including aphids, thrips, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Maintain adequate airflow and avoid prolonged wet foliage or saturated soil to reduce the risk of fungal diseases and root rot.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Care Tips:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Space plants approximately 20–24 inches apart to accommodate mature growth and encourage healthy airflow. Apply mulch around landscape plantings to conserve moisture during Florida's warmer months. For a colorful display, combine Top Hat Scarlet with white begonias, purple salvia, pink SunPatiens, or contrasting lime-green foliage that highlights its brilliant red blooms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"1 gallon","offer_id":50209132577045,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0882\/6834\/1525\/files\/15BefgoniaTopHatScarlet_1.jpg?v=1790538765","url":"https:\/\/discountplantsdirect.com\/products\/begonia-top-hat-scarlet","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}