About

A bushy perennial, to 40cm tall, usually grown as an annual. Flowers appear in summer, 3-5cm wide, in shades of lavender-purple. Leaves are dark green, ovate to lanceolate, and with toothed margins.

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

SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B

Plant details

Plant typeAnnual Biennial, Bedding
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants

Care notes

CultivationNeeds a sheltered, partially-shaded site and a moist but well-drained soil
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed (for variable offspring) or softwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and vine weevil
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free