Impatiens

Family: Balsaminaceae
Common Name: Balsam, Busy Lizzie

Impatiens are so-called because of the impatience they display in growth and spread. Comprising about 800 species of annuals, perennials and small shrubs from tropical and subtropical Asia and Africa, these mostly succulent or soft-wooded plants provide a cheerful display from spring to early autumn. They are easy to grow both in the garden and in pots or hanging baskets, indoors or out, and are now available in a multitude of colours.

Species

I. balsawina, garden or rose balsam, is a bushy annual, to about 50 cm (20 in), with many different-coloured flowers, from rose, scarlet and white to pink and yellow, in summer. The Camellia-flowered Series has large, double flowers and is very popular with gardeners, as are the dwarf strains.

I. hawkeri, New Guinea impatiens, and its hybrids have a great variety of foliage and flower forms, and make popular container plants.

I. mirabilis, to 2 m (6 ft), has very fleshy stems and a swollen caudex. The leaves are borne in terminal clusters and the large flowers are yellow.

I. repens, golden dragon, is a trailing plant, often grown indoors, preferring a light spot. The flowers are bright yellow and slightly hairy on the outside. It benefits from a little liquid fertilizer every month.

I. sodenii, pale perennial balsam, is an evergreen which grows 1-2.5 m (3-8 ft) and is very useful for planting in dry, frost-free, shaded situations. The pale lilac flowers are borne on thick, sappy stems.

I. walleriana, busy lizzie or Zanzibar balsam, is the species most often seen in home gardens, either as a bedding or indoor plant. It grows to about 60 cm (24 in), flowering over a long period in shades of carmine, orange, scarlet, rose, lilac, purple, pink or white, with some variegations. It self-seeds freely. The more compact dwarf forms don't seed themselves and make better garden and container plants.

Cultivation

In climates which are prone to frost, grow in an intermediate to warm greenhouse or conservatory, or as house plants. The I. waileriarra cultivars and New Guinea impatiens are grown mainly for their use as summer bedding plants, planted out when frosts are over. Under glass, grow in pots of soilless potting compost and shade from direct sun. Provide atmospheric humidity. Outdoors, plants are best in partial shade. Propagate from seed in early spring or from softwood cuttings in spring, both in a heated propagating case.