MAIN Home Life Gardening Flowers Impatiens

Impatiens are not, as widely supposed, named for their fast growth (although they are one of the easiest garden plants to maintain) but more for the plant's seed pods which, when touched, may suddenly "explode" to disperse its seed in all directions.

Also called "Touch Me Not" or "Busy Lizzy", delicate impatiens are disceptively hardy flowers second only to petunias for ease of growth - whether in the backyard garden, or window boxes, containers, pots or in hanging baskets.

In early spring, purchase transplants from a local nursery or garden center, or plant seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before planting season begins. Out in the garden, establish plants in a semi-shady spot in light, well-drained soil. To avoid bloom wilt, be sure impatiens get plenty of water, especially during the warmer summer months.

Impatiens wallerana, and Impatiens balsamina are currently the only two varieties widely available among some 1,000 species of impatiens known. Even so, you can choose from among a wide variety of colors for planting - including white, pink, red, orange, purple, lilac, and rose, providing a wild splash of vivid color in any home garden.

Generally disease free, impatiens may be plagued by garden pests such as thrips, spider mites, and white flies, which can easily be removed by spraying with a mild insecticide or soapy water solution.

On the Web - How to plant & grow impatiens :

How to Grow Impatiens - Basic primer on impatiens with a brief overview, facts on propagation & growth, insects & diseases.

PlantFacts - Impatiens - Hear the audio file to learn how to pronounce its full Latin name, view photos in the gallery and read the reference notes for a complete fact sheet on impatiens wallerana.

Impatiens - Pictures & description, list of varieties, how to's on propagation, potting.

Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) - Nicely done fact sheet with picture explaining U.S. hardiness zones, propagation & growth, susceptibility to insects and disease and more, with tips on indoor and outdoor planting.

Growing Impatiens from Seed - Instructions on proper sunlight & temperature, watering, hardening off, and additional tips to keep your impatiens growing.

also see in Garden Flowers -> Forget-Me-Not | Four O'Clocks

Marigolds | Morning Glory | Nasturtiums | Pansy

Petunias | Snapdragons | Sunflowers | Verbena | Zinnia