February 2021
Impatiens
The Latin name for impatiens is ‘impatiens’. Which means ‘impatient’ More on that in a minute. But there are over 1,000 varieties that they are mostly all referred to as just ‘impatiens’. They are a member of the balsam family (which I am not even going to try to pronounce), and there are varieties of this plant all over the world.
The flowering plant that we grow as an ornamental was originally transported from Zanzibar, in central Africa, in 1865. At first, it was named I. sultana, in honor of the Sultan of Zanzibar, but later was changed to I. walleriana. It was initially taken to North America, and then early in the 20th century, taken to Europe, where it spread slowly to the east. New varieties are being developed all the time, making them sturdier, more tolerant of heat, and able to withstand some full sun.
The impatiens that we know and love in our gardens are a true annual. Regardless of weather, it will not survive more than a year. The majority of impatiens varieties are definitely shade lovers. They require rich, well draining soil, but like to stay moist. If they are dry for even a short time, they will wilt, but quickly come back when watered. Sources I consulted were mixed concerning whether or not to fertilize. Some say they don’t need it. But I say, if you want to maximum beauty from such a short-lived plant, why not? Go for it. Fertilize every four weeks during bloom time. If they start to get a little leggy, pinch off one third to one half way down the stem. The cuttings root easily, so start some of them for the next season. By the way, the plant is ‘self-cleaning’. No need to deadhead.
Now, to explain the name: when the seed pod forms, the structure forms under such pressure, that when it is ready to open, it snaps open, shooting the seeds up to two feet from the mother plant. As such, the lightest touch can cause them to crack open, shooting seeds all over an unsuspecting caregiver.
A word (or two) on New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri): this plant originated in Papua New Guinea, and is actually a perennial. Hybridization has produced a plant with long-lived profuse flowers that can take a lot more sunshine than other impatiens. The leaves are a bit darker and somewhat serrated, giving them a slightly different look. I haven’t tried it yet, but they might survive an entire year here if protected from both frost and the extreme of summer heat. Indoors would be a good place to keep them in the summer.
The flowering plant that we grow as an ornamental was originally transported from Zanzibar, in central Africa, in 1865. At first, it was named I. sultana, in honor of the Sultan of Zanzibar, but later was changed to I. walleriana. It was initially taken to North America, and then early in the 20th century, taken to Europe, where it spread slowly to the east. New varieties are being developed all the time, making them sturdier, more tolerant of heat, and able to withstand some full sun.
The impatiens that we know and love in our gardens are a true annual. Regardless of weather, it will not survive more than a year. The majority of impatiens varieties are definitely shade lovers. They require rich, well draining soil, but like to stay moist. If they are dry for even a short time, they will wilt, but quickly come back when watered. Sources I consulted were mixed concerning whether or not to fertilize. Some say they don’t need it. But I say, if you want to maximum beauty from such a short-lived plant, why not? Go for it. Fertilize every four weeks during bloom time. If they start to get a little leggy, pinch off one third to one half way down the stem. The cuttings root easily, so start some of them for the next season. By the way, the plant is ‘self-cleaning’. No need to deadhead.
Now, to explain the name: when the seed pod forms, the structure forms under such pressure, that when it is ready to open, it snaps open, shooting the seeds up to two feet from the mother plant. As such, the lightest touch can cause them to crack open, shooting seeds all over an unsuspecting caregiver.
A word (or two) on New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri): this plant originated in Papua New Guinea, and is actually a perennial. Hybridization has produced a plant with long-lived profuse flowers that can take a lot more sunshine than other impatiens. The leaves are a bit darker and somewhat serrated, giving them a slightly different look. I haven’t tried it yet, but they might survive an entire year here if protected from both frost and the extreme of summer heat. Indoors would be a good place to keep them in the summer.