Brightly-flowered Impatiens walleriana is perfect in shaded beds or as a partial-light ground cover. We've got the top growing tips, and Kevin Espiritu will show you how to grow these busy lizzies.A favorite flower for many households, Impatiens walleriana is wildly popular in the UK and US. As a ground cover, it creates a stunning, flower-dappled display. It also makes an excellent houseplant, growing easily if you give it the right conditions.
Impatiens has many crazy names like busy lizzie or sultana. It’s even sometimes called the “patience plant”, although in an ironic way – more on that later! It’s so popular that growers have cultivated several shades of flowers to choose from. Pink, red, white, orange, lilac, or bi-colored blooms appear to much delight. Native to East Africa, impatiens isn’t very demanding. It’ll thrive with the right care and light conditions. Often, it does particularly well in shaded or partly-shaded locations.
We’ve gathered together everything you’ll need to know to grow this phenomenal plant. With a little patience, you’ll have impatiens galore!In frost-free regions, busy Lizzie is an herbaceous perennial. Elsewhere, it’s considered a half-hardy annual. Its natural preference is a Mediterranean climate type. The plant is part of the Balsaminaceae, which is comprised of flowering plants of the Impatiens and Hydrocera species.The name “walleriana” was crafted to honor Horace Waller (1833-1896). A contemporary of Victorian explorer David Livingstone, Waller was a British missionary. He spent much time in Africa, and was known as an anti-slavery activist in that era.
It was introduced to the western world by Dr. John Kirk. Another contemporary of Livingstone, Kirk initially believed Impatiens walleriana to be indigenous to Zanzibar. It was later discovered throughout eastern Africa.
The term “impatiens” is a bit ironic and contrasts with its common name of “patience plant”. The scientific name of Impatiens species originates from the plant’s impatience to spread its seeds. The lightest touch will cause an impatiens seed pod to pop open and send its seeds flying everywhere! Needless to say, it’s quite good at self-sowing, even if it’s not very patient.Impatiens walleriana is a popular flowering plant prized for its vibrant, colorful blooms and lush foliage. The plant typically grows to about eight to twenty-four inches in height. It features glossy, ovate leaves that provide an attractive backdrop to its flowers, which come in various colors. It blooms prolifically from spring through fall, adding continuous color to borders, containers, and hanging baskets.
Sometimes referred to as shade impatiens, Impatiens walleriana is one of many flowering plants in its species. Some 500 species fall into the Balsaminaceae family, with this and New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) being some of the best known.
Other synonyms for this species include Impatiens giorgii, Impatiens holstii, Impatiens lujai, and Impatiens sultani. These are all scientific names that have fallen out of common classification use.To plant Impatiens walleriana, begin by selecting a location with partial to full shade, as these plants prefer indirect sunlight. Prepare the soil by loosening it and mixing in compost or organic matter to improve drainage and nutrient content. Space the plants about eight to twelve inches apart to ensure proper airflow and prevent overcrowding.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, place the plant in the hole, and backfill it with soil, gently firming it around the base. Water thoroughly after planting to help establish the roots. Mulching around the plants can help retain soil moisture and reduce weed growth.