About

The flattened, tubular flowers hang below the leaves and have a green, hooded mouth, yellow middle and red, hooked tail. A short-lived, upright, evergreen perennial up to 90cm in height. It can flower at any time of year.

About the genus

Impatiens can be annuals or evergreen perennials, with fleshy stems bearing simple, toothed leaves and solitary or clustered, spurred, 5-petalled flowers

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand, Clay, Chalk
Soil pHNeutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B

Plant details

Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical

Care notes

CultivationNeeds a sheltered, partially shaded site and a moist but well-drained soil. Grow in a container, protected over winter above at 15°C, or use in sub-tropical planting schemes for summer displays
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and vine weevil under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free