Hardy Impatiens.
The hardy Impatiens are amongst the most amazing and spectacular group of plants we currently grow. Free flowering, interesting, unusual… we couldn’t wish for more.
When we first encountered the ‘Hardy Busy Lizzies’, as they are commonly called, we weren’t sure about them. Our minds were too boxed in with thoughts of the bedding plants that we see in so many summer displays. We were so wrong!!!
It is with thanks to Keith Brown, a great plantsman, who gradually introduced us to so many different plants, especially the genus Impatiens.
Banished forever were the thoughts of bedding plants, this versatile and stunning group of plants couldn’t be much further from these. Hardy Impatiens were here to stay!
They are incredibly variable from low growing species to ones that can easily reach 2 metres (6′). Their flowering period is vast, often going from mid summer to the first frost.
The colour range is also vast, red, yellow, blue, white and pink, many attractively marked. Hardy Impatiens blooms are as strange as they are beautiful and free flowering.
Most of these lovely plants are from many locations in Africa, Asia and North America, and therefore different species have differing degrees of hardiness. Some can stand incredible degrees of frost, others are tender. Many are so unusual that their hardiness has yet to be ascertained.
Most of the species we grow prefer a moist semi shaded site, they don’t like hot direct sunshine, and hate dry baked soils. This makes them ideal for moist borders or for the edge of the woodland garden.
Over the last few months we have been gathering as many different forms of hardy Impatiens from around the country. Below is a list of the ones we have at present. Please let us have a small portion if you have any we don’t, we will gladly share any we have!
If you would like to be emailed when we have any of these varieties available please let us have your address and we will drop you a line.
Thanks to Malcolm at Plantsmans Corner and Eggleston Hall Gardens for the pictures
