Impatiens x hawkeri, Impatiens New Guinea Hybrid
New Guinea ImpatiensFamily: Balsaminaceae
Origin: New Guinea
New Guinea Impatiens, a herbaceous perennial groundcover and low-growing shrub, is native to New Guinea and is well-suited to USDA zones 9-11. It thrives in full sun to semi-shade and requires moist but well-draining soil. The foliage is deep green, and the showy flowers come in various colors. New Guinea Impatiens attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
When planting New Guinea Impatiens, create a planting hole that is three times the size of the root ball. Keep an eye on soil moisture levels, making sure to keep the soil moist without letting the plant become waterlogged or dry out completely. For potting, ensure the container is large enough for the roots to grow and bring the pot indoors during cold winter months.
New Guinea Impatiens is an easy-to-care-for plant that provides a splash of color and wildlife attraction to any outdoor space. It is a perfect choice for an outdoor container or landscape bed.
Impatiens are the most popular bedding plants in the United States because of their beauty and ease of growth. Most are grown in hanging baskets or as potted plants for transplanting into the landscape or as container plants for the patio or window boxes.
Several plants were brought back from New Guinea and originally given separate species names. However, cytogenetic work has shown that they belong to one species (Impatiens hawkeri), but a lot of variation exists within the species. Crosses with additional species from Java and the Celebes islands have led to the plants in production today. Recent breeding has concentrated on shorter plants, shorter production times, heat and water stress tolerance, and variation in flower and foliage size and color.
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