Impatiens

Planting impatiens

Set out transplants after the last frost when nights are mild. Seed is slow and needs 10 to 12 weeks indoors, so most gardeners buy starts.

Planting details

• Spacing: 8 to 12 inches for a solid carpet of bloom
• Keep evenly moist; wilting plants flower poorly
• Look for downy mildew resistant types in problem areas

Growing requirements

Impatiens bloom all season in part to full shade with steady moisture and rich soil. They are one of the few bedding annuals that flower well with little direct sun.

Harvesting and care

Water before midday wilting sets in, since impatiens show thirst quickly. No deadheading is needed; spent blooms drop cleanly on their own.

Common mistakes

• Planting in hot full sun, which scalds and stalls them
• Letting containers dry out, which drops buds fast
• Replanting into beds with a downy mildew history without choosing resistant varieties

Companion plants

Impatiens carpet the ground under hostas, hydrangeas, and shrubs, and fill shady containers where sun-loving annuals fail.