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Impatiens hawkeri

Phonetic Spelling
im-PAY-shens HAWK-er-ee
Description

These succulent, branched perennial herbs grow up to 15 inches tall, mounding with lower leaves up off the ground. New Guinea Impatiens tolerate full sun, but are a water guzzler and tend to look wilted when heat loads are high and water is less plentiful, making this plant have a low drought tolerance. These plants tend to be larger with larger flowers than on standard Impatiens. The flowers will bloom from spring to early fall. Gardeners must be careful when watering the plant, however, because over watering can cause rot. This plant is a herbaceous perennial, but most often used as an annual in planters, hanging baskets, containers, around trees in shaded areas, and in bedding. It has multiple cultivars and is often confused with sultanas, although the leaves are thicker and leaves in the mound are raised above the ground. The genus name comes from the Latin impatiens meaning impatient and refers to the sudden seed discharge from the ripe pods. The species name honors Lt. Hawker of the British Royal Navy who collected the plant in Papua, New Guinea in 1884.

This plant performs best in partial shade with well-drained, moist soils supplemented with organic material. The plant tolerates full shade and should be protected from full summer sun. Seeds are sown in March under glass and germinate at 70 to 75 degrees F. Plant out in May. As the plant matures, you can pinch back the stems to encourage branching and discourage the plant from becoming leggy. Because the plant does not do well outdoors at temperatures below 40 degrees, most gardeners treat it as an annual and purchase new plants each spring. However, you can trim the plant back and bring indoors at a sunny window. This plant is resistant to Downy Mildew. 

New Guinea impatiens encompass a large number of different cultivars some of which have been introduced as part of named series.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Flowers have conspicuous, elongated spur.
  • Lateral sepals are suborbicular, broad, and acuminate.
  • Leaves have stalked glands on teeth rising above the leaf plane.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known insect or disease problems. Possible problems include impatiens necrotic spot virus, fungal blights, powdery mildew, and rots. Potential insect problems include aphids, mealybugs, thrips, whitefly, slugs and snails, and spider mites.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Japanese Shade Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Bonfire Orange
    very large, vibrant flowers on compact plant
  • Celebrate Peach
    vigorous and well branched
  • Celebrate Salmon
    coral colored blooms
  • Celebration Apricot
    blooms cover the plant even in high heat
  • Celebration Bonfire Orange
    round scarlet flowers
  • Celebration Light Lavender
    green variegated foliage and lavender flowers
  • Celebration Light Salmon
    large flowers on vigorous plants
  • Light Salmon
    salmon colored flowers at the end of stems
  • Raul
Bonfire Orange, Celebrate Peach, Celebrate Salmon, Celebration Apricot, Celebration Bonfire Orange, Celebration Light Lavender, Celebration Light Salmon, Light Salmon, Raul
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#lavender#salmon#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#shade garden#orange flowers#salmon flowers#apvg#fall interest#cpp#summer flowers#lavender flowers#spring interest#fantz#apvg-a#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#perennial#annual#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Bonfire Orange
    very large, vibrant flowers on compact plant
  • Celebrate Peach
    vigorous and well branched
  • Celebrate Salmon
    coral colored blooms
  • Celebration Apricot
    blooms cover the plant even in high heat
  • Celebration Bonfire Orange
    round scarlet flowers
  • Celebration Light Lavender
    green variegated foliage and lavender flowers
  • Celebration Light Salmon
    large flowers on vigorous plants
  • Light Salmon
    salmon colored flowers at the end of stems
  • Raul
Bonfire Orange, Celebrate Peach, Celebrate Salmon, Celebration Apricot, Celebration Bonfire Orange, Celebration Light Lavender, Celebration Light Salmon, Light Salmon, Raul
Tags:
#purple#full sun tolerant#lavender#salmon#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#shade garden#orange flowers#salmon flowers#apvg#fall interest#cpp#summer flowers#lavender flowers#spring interest#fantz#apvg-a#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#perennial#annual#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Impatiens
    Family:
    Balsaminaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Solomon Island, New Guinea, and New Ireland
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Resistant to Downy Mildew.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 9 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are explosive capsules rolling suddenly inward, and have a ribbed, rubbery-succulent texture.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Orange
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are solitary on elongated pedicels and are conspicuously spurred. They are calyx with 5 lobes, 2 lateral lobes are green, broad oval, and acuminate. Petals are of anthrocyanin pigments. Spur is prominent.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are opposite to whorled, ovate to elliptic to lanceolate, crenate with minute stalked glands rising upward, acute to subauminate, green with tinge of bronze or purple, or variegated.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are suberect to decumbent, branching, and bear leaves.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies