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Sacramento begonia show, sale celebrates 75th anniversary

Find hundreds of unusual, colorful shade-loving plants at free event

Nature's an endlessly fascinating designer, especially when it comes to leaves of rex begonias like the one here. See plenty of gorgeous plants at the annual American Begonia Society Show and Sale this weekend.

Nature's an endlessly fascinating designer, especially when it comes to leaves of rex begonias like the one here. See plenty of gorgeous plants at the annual American Begonia Society Show and Sale this weekend. Photo courtesy Sacramento Branch of the American Begonia Society

One of Sacramento’s favorite shade-loving plants is having its moment in the spotlight.

This weekend (Sept. 9 and 10) is all about begonias as the Joan Coulat Sacramento Branch of the American Begonia Society celebrates its 75th anniversary show and sale at Shepard Garden and Arts Center in McKinley Park.

With a nod to its milestone, the show’s theme is “Diamonds in the Shade.” In their diverse foliage and flower forms, begonias are true garden gems that thrive in Sacramento shade.

Open free to the public, the show highlights gorgeous specimen plants grown by club members. It’s also an opportunity to get expert advice on how to nurture these plants in your own garden.

The club’s annual fundraiser, the sale is always a huge draw, featuring hundreds of unusual and eye-catching plants. Club members go to great efforts to offer begonias not available from local sources.

In particular, find a great selection of rex begonias with foliage in a rainbow of colors and patterns. (They’re called “painted begonias” because each leaf looks like a living masterpiece.) Some even shimmer with a silvery patina.

Besides the amazing rex begonias, the sale features cane-type “Angel Wing” begonias as well as rhizomatous-type begonias and mini-begonias that prefer life in terrariums.

Show and sale hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. Come early for the best selection.

Shepard Center is located at 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento.

Details and directions: www.sgaac.org.

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Garden Checklist for week of May 19

Temperatures will be a bit higher than normal in the afternoons this week. Take care of chores early in the day – then enjoy the afternoon. It’s time to smell the roses.

* Plant, plant, plant! It’s prime planting season in the Sacramento area. If you haven’t already, it’s time to set out those tomato transplants along with peppers and eggplants. Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.

* Direct-seed melons, cucumbers, summer squash, corn, radishes, pumpkins and annual herbs such as basil.

* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.

* In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters.

* Plant dahlia tubers. Other perennials to set out include verbena, coreopsis, coneflower and astilbe.

* Transplant petunias, marigolds and perennial flowers such as astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia and verbena.

* Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, earwigs and aphids that want to dine on tender new growth.

* Feed summer bloomers with a balanced fertilizer.

* For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers on roses as well as other flowering plants.

* Don’t forget to water. Seedlings need moisture. Deep watering will help build strong roots and healthy plants.

* Add mulch to the garden to help keep that precious water from evaporating. Mulch also cuts down on weeds. But don’t let it mound around the stems or trunks of trees or shrubs. Leave about a 6-inch to 1-foot circle to avoid crown rot or other problems.

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