Impatien

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Common Name

Busy Lizzie

Scientific Name

Impatiens

Plant Category

Annual and perennial

Location

North America, Northern Hemisphere and Tropics

Height

6-24 inches

Width

4-6 inches

Blooming Season

Mid summer, late summer/early fall or mid fall

Plant Habit

Upright

Color

Red, scarlet, pink, white, rose or mauve

Sun

Full shade

Soil

Rich soil

Water

Moderate

Plant Characteristics

Attractive to bees, butterflies or birds. Easy to grow.

Usage

Used in bedding, borders, edging and grown in containers.

Information

Impatiens belong to a genus of about 850 species of erect annuals, and evergreen perennials and sub shrubs found in a great variety of often damp habitats, near streams, lakes or woodlands, throughout tropical and warm-temperate regions. Impatiens have been very popular as a house plant for generations. The plant gets its common name, Busy Lizzie, due to its non-stop blooming habit. The plants grow to around 15-60 cm tall, with broad lanceolate leaves 3-12 cm long and 2-5 cm broad. The flowers are profusely borne, 2-5 cm diameter, with five petals.

Growing Tips

Impatiens do best when you mix compost of slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting time and finish off by watering thoroughly. Water them deeply once a week through the entire growing season and remember to fertilize regularly. If you want your impatiens to grow taller, space them close together, about six inches apart. But if you want them to spread out more, plant them at least eight inches to one foot apart. Pinch out the tips of young plants several times to ensure bushy plants and prune mature plants each spring. Feed regularly during the growing season and provide ventilation on hot days.

Common Problems

Common pests that affect impatiens are the greenfly, whitefly, red spider mite and other pests. Use a recommended proprietary brand of insecticide. Botrytis (grey mould) may affect the flower buds and cause them to drop, so try to avoid watering from above and increase the ventilation. Pick off any badly affected flowers and spray with a recommended proprietary brand of fungicide. Keep the plants regularly watered (but not over wet) and feed with a general all-purpose liquid fertilizer every 10-14 days once the flower buds have started to develop. It is important to deadhead and remove any damaged flowers or leaves. Deadheading will promote more flowers and help reduce the spread of any pests or disease.