Impatiens Overview
Impatiens is a colorful garden flower that can grow into dense beds up to about 2 feet tall. In Hawaii's warm climate, it can bloom year-round, making it a useful choice for shaded garden areas that need steady color.
The flowers may be red, orange, pink or white. Each bloom is about 1.5 inches across and has a thin, curving spur. When many impatiens grow together, the flowers can create a thick carpet of color under trees, along borders or in protected planting beds.
Flowers, Seeds and Growing Habits
Impatiens is native to Africa. It prefers moist conditions and usually does best with some shade rather than strong, direct sun all day. This makes it a good fit for cooler garden corners, shaded walkways and areas protected from drying winds.
The flower is also called “touch me not” because of the way its ripe green fruit opens. When the seed pod is ready, it bursts and scatters the seeds. This quick seed release helps the flower spread where growing conditions are right.
In Hawaii gardens, impatiens is valued for its bright color, compact height and long blooming season. Related Hawaii flower pages include fuchsia, gardenia, plumbago and pink mandevilla.
