About
Impatiens sodenii, the poor man's rhododendron, is an evergreen, bushy perennial or subshrub to 1.5 m tall with narrowly oval, toothed leaves to 15 cm long arranged in whorls of 6�12. White or pale-pink flowers, sometimes with darker markings, are borne singly or in pairs at the stem tips, mainly in summer. An ornamental and elegant impatiens for a warm, sheltered, shaded border or heated conservatory.
About the genus
Impatiens, the balsams, are annuals and evergreen perennials with fleshy stems bearing simple, toothed leaves and solitary or clustered, spurred, five-petalled flowers in a wide range of colours. Popular plants for shaded beds, borders and containers.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Sub-tropical
Native toE Tropical Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in a sheltered, partially-shaded site and a moist but well-drained soil with protection from frost
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or softwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and vine weevil
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free