Impatiens x New Guinea Hybrids New Guinea Impatiens

Introduction

This easily grown annual distinguishes itself from the common garden impatiens by its brilliantly marked foliage and ability to tolerate greater amounts of sun once it is well established for several weeks in the landscape. Available in upright, rounded or flatter, spreading forms, from 8 inches to 2 feet in height, 'New Guinea' impatiens have very large leaves, often variegated with red or yellow, and large, single flowers available in shades of lavender, purple, pink, red, orange, or white.

General Information

Scientific name: Impatiens x New Guinea Hybrids

Pronunciation: im-PAY-shenz

Common name(s): New Guinea impatiens

Family: Balsaminaceae

Plant type: annual

USDA hardiness zones: all zones (Figure 5)

Planting month for zone 7: Jun; Jul; Aug

Planting month for zone 8: Jun; Jul

Planting month for zone 9: Apr; Sep; Oct; Nov

Planting month for zone 10 and 11: Feb; Mar; Apr; Oct; Nov; Dec

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

Uses: edging; mass planting; container or above-ground planter; attracts butterflies

Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range

Description

Height: 1 to 2 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Plant habit: round

Plant density: dense

Growth rate: fast

Texture: medium

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: serrate

Leaf shape: ovate

Leaf venation: not applicable

Leaf type and persistence: not applicable

Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches

Leaf color: purple or red

Fall color: not applicable

Fall characteristic: not applicable

Flower

Flower color: white; red; pink; lavender; orange; purple

Flower characteristic: showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: no fruit

Fruit length: no fruit

Fruit cover: no fruit

Fruit color: not applicable

Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable

Current year stem/twig color: reddish

Current year stem/twig thickness: thick

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun

Soil tolerances: acidic; sand; clay; loam

Soil salt tolerances: unknown

Plant spacing: 12 to 18 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable

Winter interest: not applicable

Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

Performing best in light shade but tolerant of nearly full sun during the winter in south Florida, 'New Guinea' impatiens are ideal for edgings, borders, or mass plantings. Plants should receive regular watering’s and fertilizations. Daily irrigation is needed in Florida in warm weather. Sunny locations are suitable for planting in the summer only in cool climates. Plants in Florida usually stop flowering in the summer, even when located in the shade. They make a nice spring and fall color show in north and central Florida, and grow well all winter long in south Florida.

Space plants about 18 to 24 inches apart for mass plantings. A mass or group of plants will form a mound of color that is higher in the middle and low and rounded along the edge of the grouping. Plant no closer than 12 inches from a walk or driveway to allow the plant to spread out. One plant will normally fill a small container in 8 to 10 weeks, forming a large, symmetrical, round head.

Although previously difficult to grow from seed, recent introductions have produced a fertile seed mixture. New Guinea 'Spectra' hybrids offer a multitude of color forms and leaf variegations. 'Sweet Sue', with bronzed foliage and bright orange, 2 to 3inch flowers, can also be grown from seed. 'Spectra' series and 'Tango' are also seed propagated.

Pests and Diseases

No pests or diseases are of major concern.