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Impatiens capensis

Phonetic Spelling
im-PAY-shuns ka-PEN-sis
Description

Jewelweed is a herbaceous annual that may grow 3 to 5 feet tall. It can be naturally found in areas of moist soil including forests, streambanks, and bogs. The stem is somewhat translucent. The leaves are alternate with a toothed margin and partly fuzzy underside. Orange and yellow flowers with darker splotches mature in early fall. The herb produces a capsule that pops open at maturity dispersing the seeds.

Garden uses include moist shade or woodland gardens, bog gardens, native plant gardens, pond or stream margins and in low spots.

Dew or rain beads up on the leaves forming sparkling droplets that give rise to the common name of jewelweed.

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

Seasons of Interest: 

  Blooms:  Fall            Nut/Fruit/Seed:  Fall

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: This plant can prolifically self-seed.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#nectar plant#shade garden#fall interest#fire low flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#native garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#food source summer#forb#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#fall color orange#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#nectar plant early fall#nectar plant mid-fall#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#Audubon#annual#herb garden#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#nectar plant#shade garden#fall interest#fire low flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#native garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#food source summer#forb#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#fall color orange#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#nectar plant early fall#nectar plant mid-fall#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#Audubon#annual#herb garden#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Impatiens
    Species:
    capensis
    Family:
    Balsaminaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern America
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Its flowers are attractive to Ruby Throated hummingbirds in the late summer and fall. Flowers provide nectar to pollinators from June until the first frost.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer and resistant to fire in the landscape.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herb
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Flowers give way to slender seed capsules which when ripe explosively split open at a touch dispersing the tiny seeds within in all directions, hence the common name of touch-me-not.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Jewelweed features 1" long, rear-spurred, cornucopia-shaped, orange to orange-yellow flowers with reddish-brown spotting. The flowers bloom from June to frost. Each flower dangles from a leaf axil on its own slender stalk. The flower has three sepals with the lower one extended backward as a spur. Each has five petals of unequal size and five stamens. The pistil is composed of five united carpels.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Jewelweed has oval, coarsely-toothed, bluish-green leaves (to 3.5" long). The leaves are alternate with thin elliptic to egg-shaped leaves with coarsely toothed margins. The underside of the leaves are partly fuzzy. The leaves are 1.5-3.5 inches long. Native Americans used the watery plant juices to relieve itching associated with poison ivy, stinging nettle, and insect bites
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Fire
    Wet Soil