How to grow Sunpatiens for some tropical colour

Gardens are noticeably lush and green thanks to the hot, humid and wet weather we are experiencing, but what about some eye-popping colour?

The New Guinea interspecific Sunpatiens that grows in full sun or partial shade, provides vivid flowers in gardens where foliage plants dominate.

The large, single blooms that cover the plant, make this a feature plant for the garden. The blooms stand out against glossy dark green or variegated leaves. The plant itself is sturdy and able to stand up to disease and all kinds of weather.

In larger landscapes, it can be massed in a swathe like bedding impatiens. Plants also fill containers and hanging baskets with easy growing, no fuss colour.

Tropical gardens are making a comeback, and Sunpatiens fits into this easy-to-maintain style of gardening that is drought-tolerant yet exotic and luxuriant. If planted now, Sunpatiens will flower until the first frost or later in milder areas. In frost-free areas plants may go dormant in winter but will start growing again as temperatures rise.

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Sunpatiens in the garden

Plant Sunpatiens in fertile, compost-rich soil that drains well. Heavy soil needs organic material added to improve the drainage, otherwise the plants could rot.

Incorporate a slow release fertiliser when preparing the soil for a sustained release of nutrition during the growing season.

Water plants more frequently while they are becoming established. Plants need consistent moist but not wet soil. Those in full sun need more watering than those in partial shade. If plants wilt, watering will quickly revive them, but it is not recommended as this can affect their flowering and the quality of their leaves.

Feed with a liquid fertiliser once a month to encourage the plant to keep on flowering. In most cases, Sunpatiens should not be cut back as it changes their natural form and sets back flowering.

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In containers and hanging baskets

A hanging basket spilling over with Sunpatiens is irresistible and plants fill containers equally well. They are showy yet hardy patio plants that do best if placed in a position that receives morning sun and afternoon shade.

Use a good quality potting soil, add in some homemade compost, and incorporate a slow release fertiliser. Because hanging baskets dry out quickly, choose as bigger basket as possible.

Water plants in hanging baskets and containers daily on very hot days. Feed with a liquid fertiliser at half strength every two weeks. Rotate hanging baskets regularly for even exposure to the sun.

Try this: Sunpatiens “Compact White” is a new, neat and compact variety for hanging baskets. Plants grow 60cm high and wide, and flower profusely. They can also be used as borders in the garden, especially in small gardens.

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Good news for spring 2019

A new bedding impatiens that is highly resistant to downy mildew, will be in gardens centres this coming spring.

Impatiens walleriana “Beacon™” offers the same spring to late summer flowering for shade that gardeners looked for in the original busy Lizzie bedding impatiens before it was almost wiped out by downy mildew.

This new impatiens was developed in the US by PanAmerican Seed and will be supplied locally by BallStraathof.

Plants grow 30cm high and wide, with the same flower-size as the well-known Super Elfin range. The start off colours are violet shades, red, orange, white, coral, and salmon. The vigorous plants bring back fast-filling colour to gardens and landscapes.

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