Impatiens are dainty-looking flowers that add a spectacular pop of color to any shady space in your garden. They belong to the Balsaminaceae family in the Impatiens genus, which has over 1,000 species! The plants didn’t get their name from slow growth; they’re named because the seeds pop right out of the flower when they’re finished developing.
The Balsaminaceae family comes from tropical regions, where they thrive in hot weather with plenty of shade. They’re perennials in their homeland but can be grown as self-seeding annuals in the US and most parts of the world, though you may prefer to start them indoors if you have a short growing season.
With so many colorful varieties available, figuring out which ones to get can be overwhelming. I’ve narrowed it down to 37 choices ranging from common to rare so you can find something special to put in your garden.
Balfour’s Balsam
Plant Balfour’s balsam in shady spots with consistently moist soil to prevent drying out.
 | botanical name Impatiens balfourii |
|---|---|
 | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
 | height 1 – 2.5 feet tall |
 | hardiness zones 5 – 11 |
Impatiens balfourii has a lot of names: Balfour’s balsam, Balfour’s touch-me-not, and poor man’s orchid. It looks incredibly orchid-like, making it a good alternative to the real thing if you struggle with those. This plant is invasive in some areas, so ensure it’s not a problem where you live before introducing it to your garden. It reproduces quickly in moist areas like along streams or in wetlands.
The flower is gorgeous, boasting pinkish-purple hues and dark green foliage. Tuck this plant in shady areas with consistently moist soil, ensuring it won’t dry out.
It’s a perennial plant in warm climates but can be grown as an annual in cooler areas. It blooms from spring to fall, with several flowers appearing on stalks.
Blue Diamond Impatiens
The stunning blossoms of Blue Diamond span a spectrum from true blue to rich violet, ensuring breathtaking beauty.
| | botanical name Impatiens namchabarwensis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
Add a burst of blue to your flower beds with blue diamond impatiens. These flowers can range from a true blue to a deep violet but will be gorgeous no matter what. These deep hues stand out beautifully against the light-medium green of the foliage.
While some date back to the 1880s, this species is relatively new—to us, at least. It was discovered in 2003 in the deepest canyon in the world, Namcha Barwa Canyon, in China. Acquiring seeds might be tricky, but they’ll certainly be a talking point when you do.
Keep these in a shady, moist area outdoors. It can’t grow as a perennial below zone 10 but will readily self-seed in most climates. It will grow great in containers, allowing you to grow it on your porch or all year long indoors.
‘Divine Cherry Red’
Pruning is generally unnecessary unless you prefer to preserve its natural rounded form.
| | botanical name Impatiens hawkeri |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 1 foot |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
This cultivar will brighten your landscape with beautiful pinkish-red flowers and deep green pointed foliage. This annual plant won’t return every year, but it drops plenty of seeds that will pop up next year.
The flowers start to appear in spring and will continue through fall until the first frost arrives. It needs consistently moist soil, so make sure it never dries out. You likely won’t have to prune it unless you want it to keep its natural rounded shape.
Common Jewelweed
With vibrant yellow and orange tubular flowers, this impatiens catches people’s and pollinators’ attention.
| | botanical name Impatiens capensis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 2 – 5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 2 – 11 |
Common jewelweed’s name is pretty straightforward: it’s grown throughout most of North America (avoiding the arid southwest region) and is a stunning flower. It can grow as an annual in most climates and will reliably self-seed, so once you have it in your garden, it will likely stay there. The plant boasts tubular flowers with vivid yellow and orange hues that will stand out to humans and pollinators alike.
If you allow the plant to self-seed, you can expect it to pop up in early spring and be full-sized by the end of summer. It needs moist and shady areas to thrive. You can find it along the edge of forests, ditches, and marshy areas.
The plant can reach up to 5 feet and develop a creeping growth habit, allowing you to cover up large areas. You’ll attract lots of pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, so not only will you get to enjoy the plant itself, but you’ll get to enjoy all the critters it brings to your yard.
Creeping Balsam
Be cautious; excessive afternoon sun or cold temperatures can be fatal to creeping balsam.
| | botanical name Impatiens repens |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height Trails 18 – 24 inches long |
| | hardiness zones 9 – 11 |
Creeping balsam is a unique variety that will stand out among the others. Its small, rounded leaves are a dark bluish-green that stands out against red stems. It blooms with yellow hooded flowers, earning it the alternative names of yellow canary impatiens or yellow jewelweed.
The plant only grows up to eight inches tall, but the succulent-like stems can trail up to 2 feet. It’s a perennial plant when grown in proper conditions. It makes a lovely hanging plant, so you can keep it indoors through winter and hang it outside during the warm months in an area with plenty of shade. Extremely hot afternoon sun or cold temperatures will kill the plant; this plant likes it in a certain range, no hotter or colder!
This plant may be difficult to find in local nurseries but can be found through online sellers. The plant was considered extinct in its native area of Sri Lanka but has since been rediscovered and can be acquired fairly easily online.
Dyers Busy Lizzie
The large, dark green leaves provide a stunning backdrop for the flowers, enhancing their visibility.
| | botanical name Impatiens tinctoria |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 4 – 5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 7 – 11 |
This perennial plant will be at home in your garden if you give it a shady area with moist soil in zones 7-11. It has tuberous roots that give it some longevity in the garden. Keep this beauty around for years with proper mulching through the winter. It’s known to reach up to eight feet in length in its native tropical African regions, but it will likely only reach half that size in your yard.
The orchid-shaped flower is white with a deep red throat that resembles a paint splatter. The large dark green leaves make a beautiful backdrop for the flowers and help them stand out. You can allow this plant to grow in a hanging basket or let it sprawl across shady flower beds in your garden.
‘Fusion Glow Yellow’
While it’s a perennial in hot regions, it can be an annual in other areas.
| | botanical name Impatiens x Balfusimglo |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 1 foot |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 12 |
This variety has pale yellow flowers with bright orange centers, making them an eye-catching plant in the garden. It starts blooming in spring and will continue into summer. It’s a perennial in hot climates but can be grown as an annual everywhere else.
The ‘Fusion Glow Yellow’ is tolerant of heat, but the hotter the temperatures, the more water and shade it will need. It’s tolerant of the allelopathic black walnut tree, so you can plant it nearby to use the walnut-shaded spot where other plants can’t survive.
Garden Balsam
With an eye-catching upright growth habit, garden balsam differs from typical Impatiens.
| | botanical name Impatiens balsamina |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to part shade |
| | height 1 – 2.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 2 – 11 |
While many varieties need to be sheltered from the sun, garden balsam basks in it. But speaking from personal experience, I’ve grown this in a mostly shady area with a few hours of morning sun in zone 7, and they did pretty well! Aim to give this plant at least 4 hours of direct light each day and keep the soil moist but not wet.
The plant is self-seeding like other varieties and will likely stick around your yard for years. They’re not your usual impatiens plant, having an eye-catching upright growth habit with a fountain of foliage at the top and flowers up and down the stem. Flowers can be red, purple, pink, white, or two-toned.
Giant Impatiens
To ensure the happiness of this plant, protect it from the harsh afternoon sun.
| | botanical name Impatiens mirabilis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade |
| | height Up to 10 feet |
| | hardiness zones 11 |
This succulent-esque plant has a trunk (caudex) that stores water to survive dry conditions. It’s native to tropical Thailand, where the rocky land doesn’t hold much water, so it makes sense that this plant would adapt to those conditions. It will still need moist soil but should be able to handle the top couple of inches getting dry better than other impatiens.
Protect this plant from the afternoon sun, and it should be happy. It prefers a shady area and will make a great indoor plant. It has a shallow root system and thick stem with a rounded bulb-like shape at the bottom, giant dark green leaves, and yellow flowers. This plant may be hard to find, but you can probably find a plant enthusiast online selling it.
Hardy Impatiens
This hardy impatiens features distinctive serrated green leaves with white centers and red stems.
| | botanical name Impatiens omeiana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height Up to 1.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 6 – 9 |
Hardy impatiens get their name from their ability to survive the winter in down to zone 6. You’ll need to bring it inside for cooler zones, but even then, the fact that you can keep this perennial alive for years is pretty great.
This plant is often grown for its foliage rather than the flowers. It has unique serrated green leaves with white down the center and red on the stems. Its tubular flowers that end in a little curl are reminiscent of a French horn. The flowers are pale yellow with red dappled in the throats of the flowers; they bloom in fall, usually around September and October.
Impatiens omeiana were discovered on Mount Emei in China at an elevation of 8,000 feet. It explains why it can handle cooler temperatures, moist soil, and plenty of shade. Keep this plant out of the afternoon sun and provide plenty of mulch in the winter, or bring it inside in cold climates.
Himalayan Balsam
Native to the Himalayas, Himalayan balsam flourishes in cool, moist climates.
| | botanical name Impatiens glandulifera |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 6.5 – 10 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 9 |
Also known as purple jewelweed, Washington orchid, and policeman’s helmet, the Himalayan balsam is a gorgeous purple type with a tendency to grow out of control. Be careful where you plant this one! It’s an invasive species in many northern states, including Maine, Washington, and Wisconsin. It readily self-seeds and can take over an area, so you must diligently control it if you grow it where the conditions are ideal.
The plant is native to the Himalayas, where the climate is moist and cool. It thrives in shady locations near water sources like streams, ditches, and swamps but also does well in meadows. It grows eye-catching flowers that are typically purple and can also be shades of pink, blue, or white.
Himalayan balsam is an annual that will come back each year due to its sturdy seeds that can remain viable for up to two years, allowing it to be invasive. Plant it in a secluded area like a flower bed surrounded by concrete to keep it from spreading. Though it has problematic tendencies, it’s a beautiful plant that will add pops of color to your landscape.
‘Blue Dream’
This dependable annual returns annually by self-seeding.
| | botanical name Impatiens arguta |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 8 – 10 |
‘Blue Dream,’ or the toothed busy Lizzie, has a lovely bluish-lavender color that stands out against the dark green foliage. It’s a great plant if you want cottage vibes in your garden, and it works well under tall plants since it likes shade and doesn’t grow too tall.
Like most other varieties, the ‘Blue Dream’ is an annual that reliably returns each year after dropping its seeds. It doesn’t have major disease or pest problems, so you can set it and forget it with this one, provided it receives enough moisture. If you have a bare spot in your landscape that stays moist and never sees the sun, this is the plant to put there.
‘Jungle Gold’
‘Jungle Gold’ will surely capture your attention throughout the day with its stunning appearance.
| | botanical name Impatiens auricoma |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 1 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
If you’re looking for a plant that will do well in containers, ‘Jungle Gold’ has you covered. It thrives in full shade but can tolerate some sunlight. It can be a perennial when grown in the right zone but can be grown as an annual everywhere else.
‘Jungle Gold’ is stunning yellow, which is pretty unusual for impatiens. The orchid-like flower has a red throat that stands out. The bright flowers contrast intensely with the deep green leaves, making it a stunning plant you’ll want to look at all day.
‘Autumn Canaries’
This impatiens boasts lush, deep green foliage throughout the summer.
| | botanical name Impatiens capensis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 4 – 5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 2 – 11 |
‘Autumn Canaries’ is a cultivar of common jewelweed you won’t want to pass up. It will develop plenty of deep green foliage throughout the summer. You won’t see any blooms until at least August, but once they show up, they’ll mesmerize you. They bloom until October in most areas, earning its “autumn” in the title.
‘Canaries” come from the beautiful yellow flowers, much like yellow canaries. They have deep yellow throats that fade into white edges. They’ll grow all over the plant, so you’ll see flowers high and low, making it a great plant to fill in large spaces that need some interest.
‘Compact Hot Pink’
‘Compact Hot Pink’ will provide you with a continuous abundance of vibrant pink blooms from spring until frost.
| | botanical name Impatiens x hybrida |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 2.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
Part of the ‘SunPatiens’ series, this bold flower was bred to withstand hot conditions. They thrive in the sun and even prefer it over shade. Keep the soil moist to ensure this plant stays happy.
The plant grows in a mounded clump that you may need to prune occasionally to keep its shape. However, you don’t need to deadhead the blooms to keep it going. The ‘Compact Hot Pink’ will constantly supply electric pink blooms from spring until frost.
‘Rosa’
To infuse more winter color into your landscape, consider incorporating ‘Rosa’.
| | botanical name Impatiens grandis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 2 – 5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 9 – 11 |
Impatiens grandis is grand, indeed, and ‘Rosa’ is a stunning cultivar you’ll want to keep in your garden forever. The plant can grow up to 5 feet tall with 2-inch orchid-shaped flowers on the tops of the stems.
‘Rosa’ provides interest to your garden all year long if you live in zone 9 or higher. The foliage is dark green on top with burgundy underneath, and it will bloom in fall and winter. Add this plant to your landscape if you need more color in the winter months.
This flower is native to Sri Lanka. It’s an endangered variety of Impatiens, so ‘Rosa’ may be a little difficult to find. But when you find it, you can feel good knowing you’re doing your part to keep a gorgeous species alive.
‘SunStanding Coral Aurora’
This variety was specially bred to flourish in full sun exposure.
| | botanical name Impatiens hawkeri |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 1 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
SunStanding Impatiens were bred to thrive in the sun since so many varieties need shade. You can put these in full sun exposure, and they’ll do just fine. They’re perfect for sunny patios and spaces that lack trees and structures to provide shade.
‘Coral Aurora’ has super deep green leaves and bright coral flowers that complement each other well by being strikingly opposite. It’s a New Guinea Impatiens variety with flat flowers and overlapping petals, creating the iconic look you typically see in nurseries.
The plant will spread to about 2 feet, creating a lovely spherical clump, and is ideal for containers. It’s an annual in most zones, but it will readily self-seed if you let it.
Impatiens irvingii
Impatiens irvingii boasts flat blooms, reminiscent of typical nursery Impatiens.
| | botanical name Impatiens irvingii |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 1 foot |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
This tropical Impatiens species is native to Africa and thrives in sunny locations with a little shade. It can be grown as a perennial in warm zones or as an annual in cooler zones. The stems only reach about 1 foot tall and produce flowers toward the top of the stems.
This plant has a unique look you can’t resist. It has long, serrated oval leaves with a deep, rich green and a lighter green color on the stem. The flowers are flat, like the typical nursery impatiens, rather than the tubular ones typically found on many Impatiens species.
‘Sichuan Gold’
The main attraction of the ‘Sichuan Gold’ plant is its vibrant yellow tubular flowers.
| | botanical name Impatiens pritzelii |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 1.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 8 |
This perennial variety can survive winter down to zone 5, making it doable in most of the US. It’s native to Sichuan, China, and thrives in shady areas with moist soil. Keep this one out of the afternoon sun to avoid stressing it out.
The tubular flowers on this plant are a bright yellow that turns pale yellow or white on the ends. The throat of each flower is speckled with orange. The leaves will be the main event from spring to summer, but the flowers will emerge in fall.
Where you can’t plant this as a perennial, you can certainly use it as an annual. Overwinter it indoors if possible to keep the plant alive through winter. It won’t need as much water while it’s dormant, so it will be easy to care for as long as you can keep it warm enough.
‘Compact Electric Orange’
To ensure its survival through winter, consider bringing ‘Compact Electric Orange’ indoors.
| | botanical name Impatiens x hybrida |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial sun |
| | height 1 – 2.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
Another cultivar in the SunPatiens series, ‘Compact Electric Orange’ lives up to its name. The neon orange flowers will grab your attention from afar and glow in the right light. It blooms in spring and summer and will last until the first hard frost.
Caring for this plant is pretty easy. Keep it in moist soil and give it plenty of sunlight, but it’s forgiving of partial shade conditions. It makes a gorgeous container plant, or you can stick it in the ground. It’s a perennial in zones 10 and 11, but it can be grown as an annual everywhere else. Bring it inside to help it survive winter and return the following year.
Silhouette ‘Red Star’
Similar to other Impatiens varieties, ‘Red Star’ thrives when kept in a shady, consistently moist environment.
| | botanical name Impatiens walleriana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 1 foot |
| | hardiness zones 11 |
Impatiens walleriana ‘Red Star’ can be found in the Silhouette and Expo series. The stunning flowers have red petals with white stripes descending each to create a star shape, giving it its name. The almost heart-shaped serrated leaves are a deep green that helps the bright colors stand out. The flowers bloom from spring until the first frost, giving you dazzling color for most of the year.
‘Red Star’ is more than just a pretty plant; it’s also a reliable and hardy one. It was found to be resistant to downy mildew in trials at Cornell University, making it an easy plant to care for. Like other varieties, you must keep it moist and shady.
This plant is ideal for containers. It has a compact growth habit that will develop a rounded clump that looks great in a planter or hanging basket. Bring it indoors to help it last until spring.
‘Rockapulco Wisteria’
Plant ‘Rockapulco Wisteria’ in the ground or containers and ensure it’s in a shaded spot.
| | botanical name Impatiens walleriana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 1 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
If you love the look of common impatiens but want something special, look no further than the ‘Rockapulco Wisteria.’ This gorgeous plant is a double variety that resembles a rose thanks to its bountiful blooms with plenty of petals. The flowers are mostly lavender, with some white. Its best element is the variety in each plant; some blooms may be more purple, and others may be more white.
It’s a perennial plant in zones 10 and 11 but can be grown as an annual in cooler zones. It blooms prolifically from spring until the first frost, so you’ll get plenty of enjoyment from it even as an annual. Plant it in the ground or in containers and keep it in a shady area. Avoid afternoon sunlight as much as possible.
The plant has a mounding habit that will create elegant domes of foliage. If branches grow too long and distort the spherical shape, you can trim them, and the plant will start to branch out more rather than grow taller.
‘Glimmer Bright Red’
Ensure that ‘Glimmer Bright Red’ stays in the shade with consistently moist soil.
| | botanical name Impatiens walleriana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 10 – 16 inches |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
Another double variety, ‘Glimmer Bright Red,’ is bold yet classy. The bright red ruffled petals look just like red roses for a fraction of the price and without the thorns. The dark green leaves make the flowers stand out, leaving you with an eye-catching centerpiece on your patio.
The plant is ideal for containers and hanging baskets but can also be planted in the ground. You won’t need to remove spent blooms, making it a low-effort plant. Keep it in the shade with moist soil.
‘Glimmer Salmon’
This variety rewards you with beautiful blooms from spring to frost throughout the year.
| | botanical name Impatiens walleriana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 10 – 16 inches |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
‘Glimmer Salmon’ is like the ‘Glimmer Bright Red’ but has a gorgeous salmon color. Its pinkish-orange hue has an air of elegance that isn’t as bold as the red version, but it will still draw your attention.
‘Glimmer Salmon’ is a double type with ruffled petals and a rose look. It blooms from spring until frost, giving you pretty flowers for most of the year. It’s happiest in shade, needs very little pruning, and will look its best with moist soil and occasional fertilizing.
Narrow-Flowered Balsam
To ensure narrow-flowered balsam’s health, keep a close watch for pests.
| | botanical name Impatiens stenantha |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial sun |
| | height 1 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 7 – 11 |
The narrow-flowered balsam is a perennial in its hardiness zones but can be grown as an annual everywhere else. Keep it in a mostly shaded area with moist soil. Protect it from the afternoon sun since too much heat will stress it and potentially kill it. It blooms in spring and summer, dies at the first frost, but will return in spring if properly mulched through winter.
You don’t need to prune it; it can be easily propagated by seed or cuttings. Aphids, slugs, and snails love this plant, so you must monitor for pests, especially if you plant these near other plants. It will also attract pollinators with its gorgeous yellow flowers dotted with red on the inside and outside of the tubular throat.
New Guinea Impatiens
This impatiens thrives in various conditions as long as it receives sufficient water.
| | botanical name Impatiens hawkeri |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to full shade |
| | height 0.5 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 12 |
New Guinea impatiens are popular for flower beds since they can handle almost any situation, provided they get enough water. Whether you put them in sun or shade, you can expect them to give you plenty of blooms from spring until fall. They’re available in several colors ranging from red to purple to white, so you’ll surely find something that will fit into your landscape.
The more sun they receive, the more water they’ll need. So, you might prefer to plant them in the shade, especially in dry climates. While they look great in hanging baskets in containers, caring for them in the ground may be easiest since they require so much water.
‘Infinity Pink’
It is best to plant ‘Infinity Pink’ directly in the ground, making it easier to water them.
| | botanical name Impatiens hawkeri |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to full shade |
| | height 10 – 14 inches |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
Every New Guinea variety deserves a spot in the garden, but ‘Infinity Pink’ gets special attention because of its stunning color. The foliage is dark green with slight burgundy undertones that can make them look black in certain lighting. The pastel pink flowers with dark pink centers stand out against the foliage.
This thirsty plant will need more water based on how much sunlight it receives. Keep container plants in the shade since containers dry out faster, and let full sun plants be in the ground, making watering them easier.
Pacific Jewelweed
‘Pacific jewelweed’ has the unique ability to self-seed in shady, moist environments.
| | botanical name Impatiens x pacifica |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 7 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
Also called the Pacific hybrid jewelweed, this is a naturally-occurring hybrid of Impatiens capensis and Impatiens ecalcarata. It’s native to the coast of Washington and Oregon and was first discovered in 1967 but wasn’t officially classified until the mid-2000s when it began to be spotted more often. I. ecalcarata is considered rare and potentially endangered, making the Pacific jewelweed an important species to keep its parent’s genes alive.
It may be difficult to find outside of its native area, but it’s beautiful to have in your garden if you can. Its orchid-like flowers are yellow with orange spots on the inside and outside of the petals. It’s an annual plant that will reseed itself in a shady and moist habitat.
Parrot Plant
Plant parrot plants in well-draining soil.
| | botanical name Impatiens niamniamensis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 12 |
Parrot plant, parrot billed impatiens, Congo cockatoo, cuckoo flower, or red cockies beak—this colorful plant has colorful nicknames thanks to its beak-shaped flowers. They boast bright red and yellow and have that horn shape many impatiens have, but the red and yellow really make it look like it belongs on a bird.
It’s native to tropical central Africa, where it’s used to plenty of rain, but it will still need well-draining soil so it doesn’t sit in standing water. This variety is unique because it has an epiphytic habit of growing on stumps and trees covered in moss, meaning it doesn’t need soil in the right conditions. In your garden, however, you’ll likely need to give it soil and plenty of shade to thrive.
Poor Man’s Rhododendron
Apply a generous layer of mulch to ensure the winter survival of poor man’s rhododendron in mild climates.
| | botanical name Impatiens sodenii |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 4 – 8 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
This shrubby variety will make you think of a rhododendron, giving it its silly nickname. This variety grows quite tall and can be used as a hedge. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and needs moist soil.
It can be grown as an annual in most climates, but you’ll need to keep the roots warm for it to survive as a perennial. Give it a thick layer of mulch in mild climates to help it survive winter, or grow it in a pot and bring it indoors in cold climates. Its seeds impatiently pop out of the flowers, allowing it to self-seed each year.
Small Balsam
Small balsam boasts delicate pale yellow flowers on lengthy green stems.
| | botanical name Impatiens parviflora |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade |
| | height 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
The small balsam is also known as the small-flowered jewelweed or small-flowered touch-me-not. This annual plant blooms in June and July, giving you a short period to admire its pale yellow flowers on long green stems. You can find it along the northwest coast in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, with occasional sightings on the east coast.
This self-seeding plant will return each year in partly shady areas with plenty of moisture. The foliage develops tall stems that create a bushy forest floor look, making it a good ground cover for shady areas in your garden.
Spurless Touch-Me-Not
Spurless touch-me-not has a triangular, bowl-like petal in place of the missing spur.
| | botanical name Impatiens ecalcarata or Impatiens ecornuta |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
Impatiens ecalcarata is the rare parent of the Pacific jewelweed I mentioned earlier. It’s native to the west coast from Canada to Oregon, with some sightings reaching as far east as Montana. It thrives in moist and shady areas with low elevation.
This plant earned its nickname by not having a spur, the curly part of the flower that gives it a horn shape. Instead, the spurless touch-me-not has a triangular bowl-like petal where the spur would usually be. The flower has a beautiful golden yellow-orange color that stands out from the dark green leaves.
‘SunPatiens’
This variety is ideal for gardeners who appreciate attractive, mounding flowers.
| | botanical name Impatiens x hybrida |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 1 – 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 12 |
‘SunPatiens’ were developed in Japan and bred to withstand hot temperatures. It’s a hybrid of New Guinea impatiens and wild varieties. It can survive in full sun, even in hot and humid climates, allowing all gardeners to enjoy these pretty, mounding flowers.
Though they can handle the hot sun, these are still annuals in zones cooler than 10. You can plant them each year via transplants you buy at nurseries, or you can allow them to self-seed and fill up your flower beds year after year.
‘Super Elfin White’
‘Super Elfin White’ must be replanted yearly, but it can self-propagate via dropped seeds.
| | botanical name Impatiens walleriana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade to full shade |
| | height 1 foot |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 11 |
If you love the elegance of white flowers, you’ll want ‘Super Elfin White’ in your garden. It has large white blooms that stand out against the green leaves. The blooms only stick around in spring and summer, but the foliage will stay green until the frost kills the plant.
This annual plant will need to be replanted each year, but it drops seeds and will come back on its own. It needs moist soil and a shady spot. Don’t let the soil or the plant get too hot and dry.
Velvet Love Impatiens
Velvet Love impatiens beautifully fill shaded areas with rich green leaves featuring a central pink stripe.
| | botanical name Impatiens morsei |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade |
| | height 2 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 9 – 11 |
This variety is a unique one you’ll just have to have in the garden. It offers plenty of color and will fill in shaded areas nicely. The leaves are a deep green with a pink stripe down the middle. The flowers are white and bowl-shaped, with spots of red and yellow on the opening of the bowl.
You can grow this as an annual outside or as a perennial in a container. If you live in a warm enough climate, it will also work as a perennial outdoors; just keep it in at least partial shade and keep the roots warm over winter. You can also grow it as an indoor plant or bring it indoors to overwinter.
Western Touch-Me-Not
In challenging garden spots, western touch-me-not thrives, even in heavy clay soil.
| | botanical name Impatiens noli-tangere |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 3 – 5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 9 |
The Western touch-me-not is found throughout parts of Europe and looks a lot like the common jewelweed found in the US. It grows relatively tall on vine-like stems, with each having several flowers. The flowers are hooded and horn-shaped, with bright yellow petals and red speckles throughout the throat.
This plant thrives in sunny, moist areas. You’ll see its flowers blooming from mid-summer until September, and it will drop its seeds from August to October. It can grow in almost any soil, including heavy clay soils, so it’s a good plant for those difficult areas in the garden.
Yellow Jewelweed
Consider the yellow jewelweed if you’re dealing with challenging backyard conditions.
| | botanical name Impatiens pallida |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 2 – 5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 2 – 10 |
Yellow jewelweed is the perfect species for difficult backyards. It can tolerate dry soil more than other varieties, likes to grow in sunny areas, and can tolerate poor soils. Try the yellow jewelweed if you can’t grow anything in a specific spot.
This beauty flowers from summer through fall and will reseed itself. It can grow quickly in the summer, so you might even see new plants pop up in the same year. The yellow flowers have ruffled petals with red in the throats. The serrated leaves make this an interesting plant to keep around.
Final Thoughts
With so many impatiens options available, you’ll find it hard to pick just one! While most need shade and moist soil, some varieties were bred to bask in the sun. Grab your favorite color at the nursery in the spring, or hunt down some hard-to-find varieties online. Though most have to be grown as annuals in the US, plenty of perennial types can be overwintered.
