Impatiens are the most popular bedding plants in the United States because of their beauty and ease of growth. The wide range of flower colors includes red, orange, salmon, rose, pink, white, violet, and lavender blue. New Guinea impatiens also offer exciting variations in leaf color. Impatiens thrive in filtered or partial shade and must have protection from hot afternoon sun to maintain their colors. Plants grown in the soil under trees will need extra water and fertilizer since they are competing with the tree roots.
All types do best in a rich, moist soil mulched to maintain adequate moisture.
Impatiens seed should be started indoors six to 10 weeks prior to planting outside. After the last chance of frost, harden off your impatiens, and then set the plants in the garden. A quicker way to get impatiens is to purchase transplants from a local nursery or garden center. Space tall-growing varieties 18 inches apart and compact varieties 8 to 10 inches apart. The closer they are planted, the taller and leggier the plants grow.