Impatiens

2009-10-02T18:43:56Z

76.208.155.8: added details about walleriana, the most popular species

__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
| name = ''Impatiens''
| common_names = Balsam, Touch-me-not, Snapweed, Jewelweed, Busy Lizzie, Patience plant
| growth_habit = herbaceous or subshrub
| high = ? 
| wide = 
| origin = Tropics of N Hemisphere{{wp}}
| poisonous = 
| lifespan = perennials and annuals
| exposure = vary by species{{SSN}}
| water = regular{{SSN}}
| features = flowers, naturalizes
| hardiness = 
| bloom = 
| usda_zones = 10+ (unless specified otherwise)
| sunset_zones = vary by species{{SSN}}
| color = IndianRed
| image = Impatiens-double-IMG 6711.JPG
| image_width = 240px 
| image_caption = Impatiens with double flowers
| regnum = Plantae
| divisio = Magnoliophyta
| classis = Magnoliopsida
| ordo = Ericales
| familia = Balsaminaceae
| genus = Impatiens
| species =
| subspecies =
| cultivar =
}}
There are hundreds of species of Impatiens, though four are much more commonly grown in gardens than the rest{{SSN}}. Most are annuals, or perennials treated as annuals{{SSN}}. They are grown for their flowers, which continue until frost. When the seed capsules are ripe, they explode upon being lightly touched, shooting little seeds around.{{SSN}} Stems are usually succulent{{RHS}}, and flowers, which may be solitary or in groups, usually have 3 (or rarely 5) sepals{{RHS}}. In some species the lowest sepal is large and extended backwards into a spur{{RHS}}.

The most popular is [[Impatiens walleriana]], which has a wide palate of colors, is easy to grow in both sun and shade, and blooms continuously unless a frost kills it back. This may be the most popular bedding plant in America{{SSN}}.

Four most commonly grown:
<gallery>
Image:Impatiens_walleriana.JPG| [[Impatiens walleriana]] - the most popular species
Image:Impatiens balsamina1.jpg| [[Impatiens balsamina]] - Balsam
Image:Starr 061205-1896 Impatiens sodenii.jpg| [[Impatiens sodenii]] - Poor Man's Rhododendron
Image:Impatiens ngh.jpg| [[Impatiens 'New Guinea']] hybrids. Note darker leaves.
</gallery>

==Cultivation==
Need moist soil, good drainage, humus-rich soil, as well as a cool site (except for I. mirabilis){{RHS}}. Perennials should be kept relatively dry in the winter dormancy period{{RHS}}. Pinch plants regularly if you want to keep them bushy{{RHS}}, otherwise some can get leggy. For tall-flowering I. balsamina shoots, remove the side shoots and initial flower buds{{RHS}}.

Most are frost tender, but ''[[Impatiens glandulifera|I. glandulifera]]'', ''[[Impatiens noli-tangere|I. noli-tangere]]'' and ''[[Impatiens capensis|I. capensis]]'' can not only survive, but self-sow where winter temperatures drop to -15°C (5°F){{RHS}}. These species can also become invasive in ideal conditions.

===Propagation===
Seed can be short lived in some species{{RHS}}, sow as fresh as possible. Softwood cuttings can be taken of plants you like{{RHS}}.

Seeds of frost-sensitive sorts should be planted under glass in spring, then picked out and planted in individual pots of loamless or loam of medium fertility{{RHS}}. Grow in a sunny, airy spot, free of frost, and pinch to keep compact{{RHS}}. Plant outdoors only after danger of frost is passed, and water well.

Softwood cuttings can be taken in spring, and placed in soilless potting mix, best with some bottom heat{{RHS}}.

===Pests and diseases===
{{Main|List of impatiens diseases}}

Red spider mites and aphids can be a problem, especially under glass{{RHS}}. Grey mold can cause flower buds to shrivel{{RHS}}.
''Impatiens'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Dot Moth]]{{wp}}.

==Species==
[[Image:Impatiens_namchabarwensis_21.jpg|thumb|''Impatiens namchabarwensis'']]
[[Image:Rosulata.JPG|thumb|''Impatiens rosulata'']]
[[Image:Impatiens parviflora.jpg|thumb|''Impatiens parviflora'']]
[[Image:ImpatiensGlandulifera-flower-sm.jpg|thumb|''Himalayan Balsam'']]
[[Image:Potapsco_fg13.jpg|thumb|''Impatiens capensis'']]
There are about 850{{RHS}} species of Impatiens, including:
<div float="left">
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* ''[[Impatiens acehensis]]''
* ''[[Impatiens arguta]]''
* ''[[Impatiens arriensii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens aurella]]'' - [[Pale-yellow Jewelweed]]
* ''[[Impatiens auricoma]]''
* ''[[Impatiens balfourii]]'' - [[Kashmir Balsam]]
* ''[[Impatiens balsamina]]'' - [[Garden Balsam]], Rose Balsam
* ''[[Impatiens bicornuta]]''
* ''[[Impatiens calcicola]]'' - ''[[thian pa]]'' ([[Thai (language)|Thai]])
* ''[[Impatiens campanulata]]''
* ''[[Impatiens capensis]]'' - [[Orange Jewelweed]], Common Jewelweed, Spotted Jewelweed, Orange Balsam
* ''[[Impatiens celebica]]''
* ''[[Impatiens chinensis]]''
* ''[[Impatiens cristata]]''
* ''[[Impatiens dempoana]]''
* ''[[Impatiens dewildeana]]''
* ''[[Impatiens diepenhorstii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens ecalcarata]]'' - [[Spurless Touch-me-not]]
* ''[[Impatiens edgeworthii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens etindensis]]''
* ''[[Impatiens eubotrya]]''
* ''[[Impatiens flaccida]]''
* ''[[Impatiens forbesii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens frithii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens glandulifera]]'' - [[Himalayan Balsam]], Indian Balsam, Policeman's Helmet
* ''[[Impatiens gordonii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens grandis]]''
* ''[[Impatiens grandisepala]]''
* ''[[Impatiens halongensis]]''
* ''[[Impatiens hawkeri]]'' - [[New Guinea Impatiens]], [[Spreading Impatiens]]
* ''[[Impatiens heterosepala]]''
* ''[[Impatiens hians]]''
* ''[[Impatiens holstii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens hongkongensis]]'' - [[Hong Kong Balsam]]
* ''[[Impatiens irvingii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens javensis]]''
* ''[[Impatiens jerdoniae]]''
* ''[[Impatiens kilimanjari]]'' - [[Kilimanjaro Impatiens]]
* ''[[Impatiens korthalsiana]]''
* ''[[Impatiens letouzeyi]]''
* ''[[Impatiens linearifolia]]''
{{col-2-of-2}}
* ''[[Impatiens malabarica]]''
* ''[[Impatiens marianae]]''
* ''[[Impatiens meruensis]]''
* ''[[Impatiens mirabilis]]''
* ''[[Impatiens morsei]]''
* ''[[Impatiens namchabarwensis]]'' - [[Blue Diamond Impatiens]]
* ''[[Impatiens neo-barnesii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens niamniamensis]]'' - [[Congo Cockatoo]]
* ''[[Impatiens nilagirica]]''
* ''[[Impatiens noli-tangere]]'' - [[Touch-me-not Balsam]]
* ''[[Impatiens obesa]]''
* ''[[Impatiens omeiana]]''
* ''[[Impatiens oppositifolia]]''
* ''[[Impatiens pallida]]'' - [[Pale Jewelweed]], Yellow Jewelweed
* ''[[Impatiens parviflora]]'' - [[Small Balsam]], Small-flowered Touch-me-not
* ''[[Impatiens paucidentata]]''
* ''[[Impatiens petersiana]]''
* ''[[Impatiens platypetala]]''
* ''[[Impatiens pritzelii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens pseudoviola]]''
* ''[[Impatiens psittacina]]'' - [[Parrot Flower]]
* ''[[Impatiens pyrrhotricha]]''
* ''[[Impatiens repens]]'' - [[Ceylon Balsam]], Yellow Impatiens
* ''[[Impatiens rosulata]]''
* ''[[Impatiens sakerana]]''
* ''[[Impatiens salpinx]]''
* ''[[Impatiens scabrida]]''
* ''[[Impatiens sidikalangensis]]''
* ''[[Impatiens singgalangensis]]''
* ''[[Impatiens sivarajanii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens sodenii]]'' - [[Poor Man's Rhododendron]]
* ''[[Impatiens sulcata]]''
* ''[[Impatiens sultana]]''
* ''[[Impatiens sumatrana]]''
* ''[[Impatiens tapanuliensis]]''
* ''[[Impatiens textorii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens teysmanni]]''
* ''[[Impatiens thomassetii]]''
* ''[[Impatiens tinctoria]]''
* ''[[Impatiens walleriana]]'' - [[Busy Lizzie]]
* ''[[Impatiens wilsoni]]''
* ''[[Impatiens zombensis]]''
{{col-end}}
</div>

==Gallery==
{{photo-sources}}

<gallery>
Image:Impatiens-bloom-double-IMG 6712.JPG| Double flowered [[I. walleriana]]
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
</gallery>

==References==
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963




==External links==
*{{wplink}}

{{stub}}
[[Category:Categorize]]



[[Category:Balsaminaceae]]

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Impatiens