I've been thinking about Begonia grandis, the Hardy Begonia, a lot recently. Perhaps this is because it has finally come into its own in my garden. Flowering hasn't started yet, but the leaves have fully expanded and it is making a statement. From the photo link, you cannot see the most intriguing feature of this plant. The undersides of the leaves are veined in bright cherry red. When tossed by the wind or backlit by the sun, the leaves are pretty incredible.
I'm very fond of this plant. It is quite late to appear, not showing its nose above ground until late April or early May. One always wonders if it is going to come back again each year. But, it does and generally brings a few offspring along with it.
Originating in the Malay Peninsula, China and Japan, the Hardy Begonia is really only rated hardy to USDA zone 7 and, with protection, it will survive in zone 6 and possibly in warm microclimates in zone 5. Since the tuberous roots seem to put themselves quite close to the soil surface, you will need to mulch heavily to keep it north of zone 7, I should think.
This is one plant that, for me, will grow just about anywhere as long as it is not in hot sun all day. It likes nice rich, moist soil but it will do just as well in clay in dry shade under a shrub, or it will even grow quite happily in pure sand. Dense shade and partial sun seem to make no difference to it. However, it does not stand severe competition very well. I've had a nice stand ousted by Pulmonaria while I wasn't paying attention.
Do you need something to hide the prolonged and ugly death of bulb foliage? If so, this is just the plant to do the job. Its late start gives the bulbs the space they need for their show and its large leaves conceal the dying bulb foliage very well. I have some Daffodils overplanted with a group of Hardy Begonia along the edge of a path. Before I added the Begonia, the dying foliage spoiled that section of the garden during the end of May and early June. Now, I just arrange the Daffodil foliage so it is not flopping directly on the emerging Begonias and by the time the bulb foliage has yellowed, the Begonia foliage has concealed it from view.
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