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WHAT ANNUAL FLOWER IS PLANTED MORE THAN ANY OTHER?
Looking out the window this morning (Monday...blizzard day), it's hard to imagine that in several weeks we'll be digging our fingers in soil, planting pansies and searching for the lawnmower!
Here's a think-spring quiz: which annual is planted more than any other?
- Petunia
- Geranium
- Marigold
- Pansy
The answer is, "none of the above." Impatiens is the most popular annual "by millions," according to the National Gardening Bureau. Next closest rival is petunia.
Impatiens were discovered growing in the eastern regions of Africa, from Mozambique to Tanganyika. They were thought to be native to Zanzibar, an island off the coast and part of present day Tanzania. In fact, the original name was impatiens sultana, named for the Sultan of Zanzibar.
Impatiens were brought to England in 1896 by a British physician and naturalist, Dr. John Kirk. It wasn't until the 1950s that impatiens began being available in individual colors. The two series, 'Imp' and 'Shawdowglow,' were introduced in the 1960s.
Claude Hope, "the father of modern impatiens," created a series of eight colors in 1965 and worked with Pan American Seed Company to introduce 'Elfin" impatiens in 1968.
Impatiens are generally available in three sizes: dwarf (8-10 in.); medium (10-12 in.) and tall (1-2 ft.). Most common colors are red, orange, salmon, rose, pink, white, violet and lavender blue. Two types of bicolor patterns are star (solid red outside surrounding white star) and picotee (light color interior bloom, darker at the edge of petals).
In recent years, the variety 'Tango' has become very popular, thanks in part to receiving All-America selection status in 1989. Tango is part of the class of New Guinea impatiens that are taller (14-24 in.), have larger blooms (1-2 in.) and can tolerate more sun than most impatiens. I have Tango growing under lights in my basement and I'm looking forward to watching this variety grow this summer. The color is described as "exotic orange!"
If you're reading this in late March, you're about at the end of indoor planting season - impatiens need 8-10 weeks to reach transplant size for setting out in late May. If you don't get them started on your own, don't fret, because garden centers will be displaying dozens of colorful choices at very reasonable prices in just a couple weeks.
Impatiens are an ideal plant for any shady area. They have succulent stems and will wilt quickly in direct sun, especially when they get short on moisture. If you're planting impatiens in a sunny area, make sure you buy New Guinea varieties.
Impatiens in pots and planters are an idea choice for decks that are shady most of the time. They also do well in window boxes that face north or east.
The best way to select impatiens is to decide a location and color preference before you walk into the garden center. If you don't give it a little thought ahead of time, you can easily be overwhelmed as you stand facing the long rows of tables devoted just to impatiens. At a large garden center, you may be faced with this range of choices: 15 different solid colors, five colors with star patterns, and three picotee bicolor designs.
An even bigger challenge than selection, however, is finding sufficient "patience" to hang around Minnesota until spring to plant your impatiens!
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PUTTING DOWN ROOTS:
A Delightful Blend of
Gardening Wisdom, Wit
and Whimsy
$10 + $2 for shipping
by Cliff Johnson |
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