This colourful , heat - loving annual brings a tropical flair to your containers or flowerbeds .
New Guinea impatiens are a tropical works hailing from , you guessed it , New Guinea , get in the U.S. in 1970 . These annuals feature succulent stanch and attractive foliage that make the perfect backdrop for large , colorful bloom . There are many foliage variations of New Guineas , wander from variegated to special K with bronze or purple accents .
The efflorescence of New Guinea impatiens ( Impatiens hawkeri)are like an overstated version of stock impatiens flush . The showy bloom are indite of five more or less overlapping petals , arrange around a little , clit - like heart . They derive in a variety of bluff hue from pink and lily-white to lavender and orangish . Impatiens also have a flower goading full of nectar , which get them a favored amongstpollinators like moths and butterflies .

Credit: Justin Hancock
Where to Plant New Guinea Impatiens
New Guinea impatiens prosper in part nuance with systematically moist , well - drained ground . However , they can also hold up full sun or shade , though the plants may bear fewer flower in these spots . look at add organic material , such as compost or manure , to the soil to optimise growing conditions . A somewhat acidulent pH is idealistic . If daytime temperature are mellow , attempt a spot with protection from the confidential information , since undue air flow can dry out the water - bonk plants .
New Guinea impatiens work well in container or hanging basketful . They can also be group in flowerbeds or planted as borders near consortium , paseo , or patios . Since they are n’t spreader , they wo n’t take up a lot of blank in a garden bed andmix well with other shade plants . Consider pair them with plant that do n’t flower as much — the impatiens will more than compensate for any deficit of coloring material .
How and When to Plant New Guinea Impatiens
Late spring is the estimable meter for planting New Guinea impatiens alfresco . Find out when yourlast saltation frostis expected and project to do your planting two workweek afterwards .
When placing these annual in flowerbeds , break them by the same space as the await diameter of the fledged plants . ( Vigorous varieties may demand a petty extra way . ) dig up a hole about double the size of the tooth root globe . Amend the soil with compostand add a slow - going plant food at the prison term of planting .
Avoid planting your New Guineas during the hottest hours of the day , and ensure to give them a thorough soaking immediately after placing them in the primer . Add a layer of mulch around the plant life to reduce water passing during vertex summer months .

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New Guinea Impatiens Care Tips
New Guinea impatiens are sensitive to their surround . They ’re particular about nutritive level in the soil and want lots of water . But the payoff is immense : With the proper attention , these plant will generate a gorgeous presentation of tropic flowers .
Light
New Guinea impatiens flourish in spots with part shade—2 to 6 hours of sunlight per day — and execute peculiarly well with the combination ofmorning sun , afternoon tincture , and eastern exposure . However , these tropic beauties can also bear ghost and full sun ( particularly where daytime temperature are moderate ) .
take down that lots of sunshine , especially when geminate with heating plant , will increase their water requirements , may damage the foliage , and can shorten the sizing and act of blossoms .
Soil and Water
Seek moist but well - drain soil for your New Guinea impatiens , and enrich the earth withorganic matter like compost . A slightly acidic pH is preferable . filth that drains quick foreshorten the likelihood of root rot .
Expect your New Guinea impatiens to require lots of water system . Their leave-taking easy lose moisture , and this tendency is exacerbated in grim - humidity term . They are not drouth - liberal and will often wilt when it ’s hot out of doors if they do n’t encounter wad of piddle . If they start to droop , give them a thorough wateringand they should bounce back in a few minute . However , the re - hydrous plant life may still show sign of the zodiac of stress , including a reduction in blossoms and glow foliation , peculiarly if wilt occurs repeatedly .
Try not to permit the plants dry out out between waterings . ( Hint : Plant New Guinea impatiens alongsideother plants with similar maturate prerequisite . ) For established works , a weekly soaking should be sufficient ; new planted New Guinea impatiens need more water than mature plants .

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Overwatering can lead to source rotting , so do n’t lease the grunge become quaggy . To help keep fungous disease , purpose the water at the basis of the works , avoiding the foliage and flowers , and geld back on tearing when the temperatures are cool .
Keep in thinker that potted New Guinea Impatiens will need more H2O than plant uprise in the priming . Check your potted plant regularly to verify they get enough water .
Temperature and Humidity
Since New Guinea impatiens do n’t respond well to cool nighttime temperature ( below 45 ℉ ) , it ’s best to plant them about two hebdomad after thelast spring frost . The sweet patch for growing them is when daytime temperatures hover between 70 and 85 ℉ and nighttime temperatures fall between 55 and 65 ℉ . They will turn back bring forth newfangled buds when nighttime temps are 70 ℉ and high . New Guineas do well in in high spirits humidity , which trim back water supply loss through the leaf .
Fertilizer
New Guinea impatiens do n’t want grueling fertilizing . When you set them in a flowerbed , simply add up a slow - button fertilizer to the soil , and you should n’t need to fertilize again . Container garden plants will profit from abiweekly software of water - soluble plant food , as nutrients can escape through drain holes .
Pruning
While the flora is young , pinching the steer of ramification can help direct growth into a more attractive shape . Leggy impatiens can also be trimmed backto a leaf node , though you should n’t transfer more than 6 inches at a time .
Although New Guinea impatiens course deteriorate their efflorescence , deadheading throughout the seasonwill advance bloom into the fall . This clean - up will also aid you avoid the growth of Botrytis fungal mould , which can constitute on the dead prime . When removing spent blossoms , top the root word back above the first leaf pair . If your impatiens are potted , shaking the container may also advance old bloom to fall off .
Potting and Repotting New Guinea Impatiens
New Guinea impatiens make bully container plant for patios or even indoors . As a general regulation , the quite a little should be about 1.5 times larger than the diam of the plant , although certain tight - develop multifariousness may need big containers . check that thepot allows adequatesoil drainage , and habituate potting soil , not garden grunge .
If you ’re farm New Guinea impatiens as an annual you will not demand to repot the plant life — simply discard it at the oddment of the growing season . If you are spring up it as a houseplant , you may require to repot when the plant becomes root - bound . choose for a new container one size up ( about 2 inches wide or so ) from the old pot and fill it with fresh potting soil . transpose the works to the new pot , firm new grime over the roots and water regularly until it ’s found in its fresh rest home .
Pests and Problems
Fortunately , New Guinea impatiens are resistant to downy mildew , which can quick wipe out other impatiens varieties . Common garden pest , likeaphids , thrips , caterpillars , and spider mites , may invade New Guineas , though they ’re typically pest - destitute .
While these tropical plants require lots of water system , they ’re also susceptible to fungous antecedent rot . This may go on in badly drain soil or in containers that lack a hole for drain .
How to Propagate New Guinea Impatiens
Propagate from cuttings :
Most varieties arepropagated by shank carving .
broadcast from ejaculate :

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As hybrids , most types of New Guinea impatiens are unfertile and can not be grown from come . A few types , such as the Java and Divine serial publication , may be propagate this way , but often with difficulty . And if the cultivars are patent , disperse them may be illegal .
Plant seeds indoorsabout 10 to 12 weeks before you be after to move them outdoors ( or so 2 week after the last give frost ) .
Types of New Guinea Impatiens
‘Celebration Bright Salmon’
' Celebration Bright Salmon ' contain bold Salmon River - pink flowersover dark green foliage . It is a vigorous grower and get to a acme of 16 inch .
‘Celebration Blush Pink’
' Celebration Blush Pink ' flaunt enceinte flower in a subdued spectre of pink , which contrast attractively with the dark green foliage . Another vigorous diversity , this cultivar grows to 16 inch tall .
‘Applause Orange Blaze’
' Applause Orange Blaze ' produce brightorange flowerswith variegated foliage . It ’s more cold - tolerant than many other varieties , able to hold coolheaded night . fledged plants are 1 foot tall and wide .
‘Celebration Raspberry Rose’
' Celebration Raspberry Rose ' is notable for its big raspberry - pinkish flower over dark-skinned green pointy leaves . It develop 16 column inch tall .
‘Celebration Orange’
' Celebration Orange ' stands out with its flashy orange tree flowers over coloured light-green leafage . It arise 16 in tall in a pitcher formation .
‘Celebration Lavender Glow’
' Celebration Lavender Glow ' have gravid lavender - pink heyday over dark green foliage . It reaches 16 inches tall and is a vigorous grower .
‘Infinity Lavender’
' Infinity Lavender ' is a shade - love miscellany with large lilac - purple flowers . It blooms all summer and fall and grows 14 inches grandiloquent and wide .
‘Celebrette Deep Red’
' Celebrette Deep Red ' producesrich red flowersthat pull hummingbirds over dark green leafage . This compact salmagundi tops out at 10 inches tall .
‘Celebrette Purple Stripe’
' Celebrette Purple Stripe ' features magnanimous purple flowers streak with white . This bantam case make 10 inch marvellous .
‘Painted Paradise Pink’
' Painted Paradise Pink ' produces pinkish blossoms over motley foliage on a compendious , 14 - inch - marvelous plant . It ’s often maturate for its middle - catching foliage , which tot color to a fall garden .
‘Infinity Cherry Red’
' Infinity Cherry Red ' shows off middle - catching shiny red flowers all summer and twilight . It grow 14 inches tall and 12 in across-the-board .
‘Painted Paradise Lilac’
' Painted Paradise Lilac ' wear heavy lilac - hued flowers over strongly motley foliage . The mounding plant reaches 14 in tall .
‘Paradise Cherry Rose’
' Paradise Cherry Rose ' shows off vibrant reddish - pink flowers on a 16 - inch - tall plant life . Blooming occurs from midspring to former surrender .
‘Painted Paradise White’
' paint Paradise White ' is awhite - floweringvariety with yellow - motley foliage . It grows 14 in tall .
‘Painted Paradise Red’
' Painted Paradise Red ' shows off vivacious ruby-red blossoms and variegated foliation . It grows 14 inches tall in a mound formation .
‘Paradise Mango Orange’
' Paradise Mango Orange ' stuns with its undimmed orangish flower on a mounding , 16 - inch - tall plant . await blooms from midspring to early fall .
‘Paradise Rose on Violet’
' Paradise Rose on Violet ' entices with its lavender - pink bloom striped with rose . It grows 16 inches tall and blossom from midspring to fall .
‘Paradise Lavender on Fuchsia’
' Paradise Lavender on Fuchsia ' offers showy lavender flower with a fuchsia stripe on each flower petal . It grow 16 inches tall .
‘Sonic Magic Pink’
' Sonic Magic Pink ' bears big , confect - pink flowers streak with white on a compact plant . It produce in a mound use and produces efflorescence in spring and summertime .
‘Paradise Salmon Pink’
' Paradise Salmon Pink ' boast pink efflorescence flushed with orange on a mounding , 16 - in - tall plant .
New Guinea Impatiens Companion Plants
Dianthus
The quintessential cottage flower , dianthusis cherish for its grasslike , blue - green foliation and abundant starry prime , often spicily fragrant . Depending on the type , the flower appear in spring or summer and tend to be pinkish , flushed , white , rose , or lavender , though they amount in almost every shadiness except true blueness . Plants stray from midget creeping groundcovers to 30 - inch - magniloquent cut flowers , which are a front-runner with florists .
Impatiens
What would we do withoutimpatiens ? They ’re the old dependable for wraith gardens that need eye - protrude color all time of year long . The flowers come in just about every colouring material except true Amytal and are well - beseem to develop in container or flower bed . If you have a bright spot indoors , you may be able-bodied to grow impatiens all class as an indoor industrial plant .
Sweet Potato Vine
Among the most pop container - garden plants , fresh potato vineis a vigorous grower that make a heavy shock . Its coloured foliage , in shades of yellow green or purplish , accents just about any other plant life . Sweet potato vine do well during the warm days of summer and favour moist , well - drained soil . They prosper in Dominicus or specter .
Garden Plans for New Guinea Impatiens
Shady Foliage Garden Plan
This informal garden bed play up shade plants with orotund , colored leaves . Although the plan calls for a leash of impatiens , you could easily swap in New Guinea impatiens .
Fountain Garden Plan with Daylilies
cast anchor by a fountain , this circular garden plan features a variety of coloured plants , including an abundance of daylilies and 30 New Guinea impatiens . It ’s outstanding for a spot that enjoy afternoon shade .
Frequently Asked Questions
Since New Guinea impatiens are hybrids , most do n’t produce operational source . However , there are a few types , such as the Java and Divine series , that payoff seeds you may actually embed .
you could produce them as potted plants indoors , but they wo n’t flower all year long . ensure to set them near a window that receive full sun .
The short answer : They never block up ! From spring to hang , these tropic lovelies flaunt their flowers . Deadheading can encourage Modern bud to make , ensuring you maximize the show - stopping display .

Credit: Justin Hancock

Credit: Bill Stites

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Credit: Justin Hancock

Credit: Justin Hancock

Credit: Justin Hancock

Credit: Marty Baldwin

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Credit: Justin Hancock

Credit: Justin Hancock

Credit: Justin Hancock

Credit: Justin Hancock

Credit: Justin Hancock

Credit: Justin Hancock

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Credit: Denny Schrock

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke

Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke