Impatiens is native to the northern hemisphere and tropics, but they are not found in South America. They are also called Touch me not, Busy Lizzy and Snapweed.

 

Impatiens plants grow to a height of six to 24 inches with a spread of 9 to 30 inches. Their eventual height depends on moisture and nutrient levels, how far apart they are planted and how much sun they get.

 

Impatiens produces red, scarlet, pink, white, rose and mauve flowers. The come from seed pods that explode when they ripen. They shoot their sticky seeds far and wide. Perhaps they are impatient to reproduce. The flowers come in star patterns and bicolor with light colors inside the flowers and darker colors at the margins of the petals. Flowers are single, semi double or fully double. They grow from early summer to fall; solitary in racemes on terminal and axillary shoots and up to 2½ inches in diameter. The fruits are a capsule, ¾ inch long, glabrous stems. The bark of Impatiens is herbaceous, fleshy, and green. The foliage is alternative, upper leaves sometimes opposite; ovate; green or reddish green on both surfaces.

 

They're easy-to-grow and flower in shade all season. Too much sun will stunt their growth, resulting in shorter plants with smaller leaves and not as many flowers. When growing impatiens, give your plants the best start possible by mixing compost or slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting time and finish off by watering thoroughly. To keep your plants looking their best, water them deeply once a week through the entire growing season, and fertilize regularly. The plant is subject to scales, spider mites, aphids; and damping off.

 

Impatiens is the most popular bedding plants in the world. They inject vibrant color into those difficult shady areas of the landscape. They are favorites for container gardens, ranging from hanging baskets to window boxes.

 

Did you know?

·        It is a genus of about 900-1000 species.

·        The plant derives its scientific name Impatiens ("impatient") and the common name "touch-me-not" from the plant's seed pods.

·        It ranks among the top ten most popular annuals in the United States.

·        The genus Balsaminaceae consists of only two families: Hydrocera and Impatiens.