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Impatiens have always been a favorite for shade among Southern California gardeners, and rightly so.
There probably isn't a single plant alive that can boast the Impatiens' versatility and flower production in any garden.
Impatiens are the perfect plant for adding reliable splashes of color into any sunlight starved flower bed.
Better yet, along the coast Impatiens will thrive in sunnier locations.
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1. Planting
The Impatiens' vigor and reliability make it a suitable plant for nearly any location,
provided they are protected from any direct afternoon sunlight in hotter inland areas. Roger's recommends using
Roger's Potting Soil for container planting and Roger's Planting Mix if you are planting your Impatiens in the ground.
As a rule of thumb, Impatiens should be planted about 12 inches apart, but some of the smaller, dwarf
varieties may be planted closer. It is always wise to treat newly planted beds for snails in order for young plants
to establish themselves.
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2. Fertilizing
Fortunately for gardeners, Impatiens don't require a whole lot of fertilizing. We
recommend Roger's Flower Food at half strength applied about once a month. Over fertilization will result in fast
growing, leggy plants that require more maintenance and pinching.
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3. Care Tips
There really isn't much at all to successfully growing Impatiens. In most Southern
California gardens, Impatiens can be rejuvenated annually by cutting them back in spring prior the onset of
active growth. If your Impatiens again become overgrown during mid season, cut them back and you should see
new growth and flower production within two weeks.
In colder climates, where frost is a threat, it may be necessary to replant your Impatiens each spring. Even
in warmer climates, Impatiens generally will only last a few years before they should be replanted. Older
plants will still produce a great deal of colorful flowers, but don't maintain the nice compact form of newer planting.
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4. Watering Tips
Impatiens enjoy constant moisture, especially in the hotter summer months. Water
plant regularly, but avoid letting plants sit in overly soggy soil.
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5. Double Impatiens
In addition to the many color variations and growth habits of regular
Impatiens, there are Double Impatiens. These plants are similar in every way except that their blooms are roselike
in appearance. Although not as vigorous as their single flowered cousins, Double Impatiens make an
excellent container planting.
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6. New Guinea Impatiens
These exciting Impatiens hybrids are much larger than common impatiens.
New Guinea Impatiens possess a much larger leaf structure in addition to a significantly bigger flower.
In general, New Guinea Impatiens can tolerate a bit more sun than their smaller relative, but still perform best
in a shady or filtered light location. New Guinea Impatiens do, however, require about twice the fertilizer of
the common bedding variety.
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