I never fully knew the allure of begonias until late one dark February night. One of life’s hard realities was coming to fruition: My father was entering the last days of his life. 

I knew that I had to finish up anything pressing on my end as my family gathered to be with him to say our goodbyes. 

One of those things was to send my online seed order in for the upcoming season. I was about to send my order in when I felt the urge to look at the flower section. One flower immediately caught my attention. It was the Fragrant Falls Peach Begonia (Begonia 'Fragrant Falls Peach’). The light and airy, peach colored blossoms called to me as if to say, “Everything is going to be okay”. 

April was a bright and welcome invitation to spring. Missing my father was a daily routine. A couple of packages from the seed company had arrived in the mail. I excitedly opened them, pulling out some of my standards from one: seeds for herbs and flowers. The next, held the forgotten surprise: begonias. 

I planted the tubers in pots and waited. Nothing. I was afraid that they had met their demise when suddenly, tiny leaves emerged. What truly took me by surprise was the explosion of luscious, peach-colored, citrus-scented blossoms that erupted from cascading branches. They were captivating, to say the least.

These beguiling begonias have gifted me with their breathtaking show every year since that summer. And when they do, they serve as a warm and gentle reminder of my beloved father.