Impatiens

IMPATIENS (im-pay’-shi-enz) – An interesting genus of greenhouse, border, and wild-garden plants, several of which differ so in form and habit that only the spur formed by one of the three sepals and the way the ripe seed-pods quickly curl at a touch to expel the ripened seeds reveal their relationship. This latter character is responsible for the common names of the genus – Touch-me-not and Snapweed.

Impatiens sultani; (Sultan Snapweed, Sultana, or Patience) is the best-known greenhouse subject in the group. Long a favorite house plant, it is easily raised from cuttings and studded with waxy bright-rose colored flowers nearly all year around. In summer, when a half-shaded spot can be found, it makes an excellent plant for the outdoor border, forming a good bushy growth about 15 in. high, with an abundance of bloom. Do not confuse its common name with Sweet Sultan (Centaurea).

Hybrids of Impatiens holsti, with red-striped stems and flowers varying from white to scarlet, arc also grown as greenhouse plants, house plants, and summer border subjects.

Impatiens balsamina (Garden Balsam) is the species more often seen in the border, with its rose-like blooms in white, lavender, lemon-yellow, and many shades of red crowded close to the leafy spikes 12 to 18 in. tall. Lately improved new hybrids with fuller flowers of peach-blossom pink have been introduced. Though a tender subject, plants set out in June from seed sown indoors in April, will continue blooming through the autumn after most other annuals are gone. They require a rich sandy loam, ample moisture, some shade, and plenty of room. Several transplantings, leaving them finally 2 ft. apart, are often desirable. Pinch off the first buds, and remove sideshoots if heavy central spikes of bloom are desired.

Impatiens roylei is a purple-flowered garden annual, grown from seed and requiring little care. Although rather coarse in habit, it serves well to fill in vacant spots in the garden in August and September.

For the wild garden, dig up in spring self-sown seedlings of the native Touch-me-not or Jewel-weed (Impatiens pallida or Impatiens biflora), and plant them in a wet spot on the shore of a pond or stream. During most of the summer they will bear a profusion of little golden blossoms dangling above the foliage of these bushy but watery-stemmed plants.

Related Articles Of Interest:

• Acalypha – The Chenille Plant or Red Hot Cattail
• Tamarisk
• Kalanchoe
• Valerianella