About
Evergreen perennial to 50cm tall, with thick, fleshy stems and velvety, lance-shaped, coarsely- toothed, dark green leaves, lightly variegated with white midribs and veining; bears clusters of creamy-yellow flowers, each with an incurved spur, held above the foliage in summer.
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
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Native toChina
Care notes
CultivationGrow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, preferably shady spot. Mulch around the plant to help protect and over-winter the shallow rhizomes
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed indoors in early spring, by seed in situ outdoors in late spring, softwood cuttings or division in spring or early summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free outdoors; if grown in a greenhouse or conservatory may be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly, vine weevil and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to damping off (seedlings) or grey mould (flower buds)