Plant in part shade (~4 hours of sun) to filtered light in a well-drained soil and irrigate regularly. Has withstood short duration cold temperatures down to 28°F in our nursery without damage. A great specimen plant for a large container in mild climates, this plant has been known to grow leaves that are 3 feet around in Hawaii though typical growth in southern California is 18-24 inches. Also, quite adaptable as a houseplant and has been recommended for beginners because of its ease of growth in "Begonias, The Complete Reference Guide" by Mildred and Edward Thompson.

Begonia 'Freddie' was hybridized by legendary Begonia hybridizer Rudolph Ziesenhenne (1911-2005) at his Santa Barbara nursery by crossing Begonia manicata aureo-maculata with Begonia barkeri. He named this outstanding Begonia for his son Fred and named his other plants after Santa Barbara area locations or people living in the area such as Begonia 'Lotusland', Begonia 'Cachuma', Begonia 'Yanonali' and Begonia 'Ramirez' that was named for a Santa Barbara gardener. 

The information about Begonia 'Freddie' that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.