Spring Garden Tips

New Guinea Impatiens

Impatiens 'New Guinea'
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Botanical Name

Impatiens 'New Guinea'

Hardiness

Tender annual

Height

14 inches

Width

12 inches

Flowers

Summer till frost: rose-red, scarlet-red, salmon, tangerine, lavender, white, other

Light

Partial shade (best)

Soil

Moist, especially in full sun

Planting and Care

Space plants 8 inches apart, mulch in sun.  Keep soil moist but not soggy.

Can be overwintered indoors. Take 3 to 4” cuttings and root the in moist vermiculite or a well-drained potting mix. I find setting the pot in a plastic bag left open increases the humidity to encourage rooting without leading to rot. Once rooted, they can be moved to their permanent container, placed in a sunny location and grow as a houseplant.

You can also bring the whole plant indoors and raise it like a houseplant. Grow in a bright, sunny window or under artificial lights and keep the soil moist. Don't be alarmed if the plant drops most of its leaves. It will soon send out new leaves more suited for its indoor location.

Problems

Slugs, spider mites (especially indoors), necrotic spot virus, sunburn in direct sun

Varieties to Consider

'Spectra' - from seed - large leaves, lots of flowers
'Tango' - from seed - bronze leaves, orange flowers

Did you know?

Though touted as more sun tolerant, New Guinea Impatiens can become leggier and washed out in full sun.

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