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Uses: Shade, Ornamental, Mixed Bed, Border, Hanging Basket Propagation: Seeds, Stem cuttings Habit: Low, Compact, Mound Light: Part Shade, Full Shade Flower Colour: Various Blooms: Spring, Summer, Autumn Width: 30 to 45cm; Height: 20 to 60cm. This plant is a beautiful specimen to go in a shady garden because it has bright flowers and lush foliage. It is better in partial shade than in full sun. It likes warmth and light, and light feeding. Let the soil dry out just a bit between waterings to encourage compact growth and lots of flowers. The flowers can be a range of colours, from white to red, but most of them are some variety of pink.  Impatiens plants can be grown easily from seed, which is produced in little pods that explode the seeds all over the garden. Alternatively, they can easily be grown from cuttings. To take an impatiens cutting, do the following: 1. cut off a tip with 3 or 4cm of stem, cutting just below a node. 2. remove 50% of the leaves (for instance you can cut large leaves in half, or remove them totally) 3. cut off surplus flowers, leaving only the buds 4. place the cutting in a small jar of water that reaches halfway up the stem, and leave it for about three weeks. You will see the cutting begin to grow roots in the water. 5. when you have a good growth of roots, plant the cutting up in a small yoghurt container with holes punched in the bottom for drainage, and using potting mixture. 6. keep it watered, and in a few more weeks, you will have a plant you can take home and put into your own garden! |