Impatiens are one of the most popular annual flowers, due to their brightly color blooms and their ability to grow in shady areas. The most commonly grown cultivars are short plants, attaining a height of not more than 1 foot. Some types, such as the ‘Super Elfin’ series, stay much shorter. Impatiens flowers come in a variety of colors, including white, red, pink, violet, coral, purple, and (a relative newcomer) yellow.
Impatiens flowers take their name from the Latin, impatiens, meaning “impatient.” They are so-called because their ripe seed pods will sometimes burst open from even a light touch (as if they were impatient to open). This characteristic is especially apparent in a relative named “jewelweed,” which is indigenous to eastern North America.
How To Grow Impatiens
Set out transplants in early spring or sow seed indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date. They are very sensitive to cold temperatures, so be sure the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up before putting them in the ground.
Plant in any general-purpose, well-draining potting soil; one with a slow-release fertilizer will keep your plants well-fed for a month or longer and get them off to a vigorous start. If combining impatiens in the same container with other annuals or perennials, choose varieties that have the same exposure and watering requirements.
How to Planting Impatiens
- Plant impatiens transplants after the last spring frost.
- Impatiens prefer humus-rich, moist, and well-drained soil. Make sure the plants have some shelter from the wind.
- The closer impatiens plants are, the taller they will grow, so space accordingly (impatiens plants can be grown anywhere between 6 and 30 inches tall). For flower beds, plant 8 to 12 inches apart so the plants will stay low to the ground.
- You can mix in compost or a slow-release fertilizer before transplanting to help the plants.
- If you have impatiens plants in containers, like window boxes, use a sterile or soil-less growing mixture to ensure better drainage for the plants.
- Learn more about soil amendments and preparing the soil for planting.
How to Care Impatiens
- The most important thing to remember about impatiens plants is to water them regularly. Keep them moist, but not too wet. If the plants dry out, they will lose their leaves. If you over-water the plants, this could encourage fungal diseases.
- Remember container plants will need more water.
Varieties
There are more than a thousand variety of impatiens. Some of the most common include:
- Perennial impatiens (Impatiens walleriana): The most common in North America, it is grown as a perennial in most of North America.
- Annual impatiens (Impatiens balsamina): Often called garden balsam or rose balsam, they are considerably smaller, with cup-shaped flowers. These have become less popular.
- New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri): These have larger flowers, more varied colors, and are able to tolerate full sun.
- Jewelweed and Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens capensis and Impatiens pallida): Two wildflowers species, they are closely related to annual and perennial impatiens.