Impatiens have always been a hit with gardeners. The masses of flowers impatiens produce make them outstanding for pots, hanging baskets and in the garden. Combine this with their lush and exotic foliage and you are guaranteed a winner.
New Guinea impatiens offer compact and uniform colour with good branching, and if kept free from frost will last for several years. They prefer a sheltered and partly shaded position.
The vibrant colours of New Guinea impatiens look wonderful either mixed and matched, or grown in a mass display of single colours. Planted outside in clumps, they establish quickly to provide season-long colour.
It’s best to wait for the warmth of summer before planting impatiens. Those who buy early should plant in well-protected, frost-free gardens. Even so you still run the risk of losing seedlings in late cold snaps. They prefer growing in a lightly or partially shaded position, but they will tolerate periods of full sun during the day – they do very well in morning sun positions.
The perfect spot is one with a combination of shade and sunlight, such as a veranda, patio or balcony. When planting into pots and baskets, use a container that will allow a good root system to develop. They require a good quality potting mix and regular watering. When in pots they can be brought indoors for a bit of colour and then taken outside after a week or two to allow them to recover in natural light.
Plant impatiens in well-drained soil. To prepare the soil, add at least one bag of compost (two bags if the soil is very sandy or has a lot of clay) and a handful of general fertiliser to each square metre. Fork over to at least one spade’s depth (200mm) to loosen the soil thoroughly. Remove any roots from competing shrubs or groundcovers as they will compete for nutrients and moisture.
Like most plants, New Guineas perform better when fed regularly. Compost alone contains very little fertiliser and so it is advisable to supplemented nutrients. Add fertiliser to the soil at four- or five-week intervals.
New Guineas are “carefree” plants. Deadheading is not necessary (i.e. removing spent blooms). Occasionally in heavy shade or where the plants have been over-watered or overfed, they become leggy. Pinching back will encourage branching, a better bush shape and more flowers.
Content provided by the Bedding Plant Growers Association.
