‘Spaulding’—Extra-bushy dwarf with medium-green leaves shading to dark green, edged with whiskers, and oxblood beneath. Showers of pink flowers.

‘Virbob’—Reddish star leaves with yellow-green leaves, bright red beneath. Short stems hold the leaves close to the pot.

‘Spaulding,’ an extra-bushy dwarf begonia

In the past few years, Mrs. H. E. Dillard of Tropical Paradise Greenhouse has introduced a number of delightful new dwarfs and miniatures. Among them:

‘Baby Perfection’—Star leaves splotched mahogany on green.

‘Black Falcon’—Darkest red-brown star leaves, silvery along the veins, whiskery along the edge.

‘Chantilly Lace’—One of my favorites, with cupped, chartreuse leaves stitched with black around the edge.

‘China Doll’—Pointed yellow-green leaves striped brown along the veins.

‘Kathy Diane’—Pointed oval leaves brown splotched with chartreuse.