For those who love the sweet blossoms and bright colors of the impatiens but
have a little too much sun for comfort, New Guinea impatiens are a good
alternative. They come in the same array of pinks, purples and reds as the
traditional impatiens do, but their darker, reddish-tinged leaves can tolerate more
sunlight and thrive.
New Guinea impatiens have increased in popularity in recent years but are
still considered new comers to the world of bedding plants, since their
introduction to the U.S. in 1972. The majority of cultivars are currently
propagated vegetatively, although seed-propagated cultivars have recently
come to the market. Most cultivars are patented, so do not take cuttings unless your a
licensed propagator.
Gardeners who have tried New Guineas in the past may have been disappointed
in their garden performance because uninformed retailers sold them as
impatiens for full sun. Full sun is not a good location for best growth. New
Guineas grow best where they will receive morning sun and afternoon shade.
An eastern exposure is ideal.
Most are grown in hanging baskets or patio containers. They can be a wonderful
addition to your patio or deck this gardening season. Gardeners who can water the
plants frequently may want to try them in full sun. However, neglected, unwatered
plants quickly wilt and may die.
Planting Baskets
Select a well-draining medium with the pH adjusted to 5.5 to 6.2. Most
commercial peat mixes and bark mixes are acceptable. Water the baskets
thoroughly at the time of transplanting, but allow the baskets to dry down
between watering.
Do not feed for the first two weeks after planting, as this will help promote
rooting to the bottom of the basket. You should not allow the plants to dry down to
the point of hardening off, because this will severely slow down the initial growth .
History
The origin of New Guinea Impatiens started with a joint plant collecting
expedition by Longwood Gardens and the USDA in 1970. Several plants were
brought back from New Guinea and originally given separate species names.
Research and cytogenetic work has shown that in fact they all belong to one species,
Impatiens hawkeri with a lot of variations existing within the species.
Crosses with additional species form Java and the Celebes islands has lead
to the plants in production today.
The first commercial series was called the Circus series, released in 1972.
Since that time numerous series comprised of a hundred cultivars have been
released. Recent breeding have concentrated on shorter plants,
shorted production times, heat and water stress tolerance, and variation in
flower and foliage size and color.
Options abound when it comes to purchasing New Guinea impatiens, here are some proven performers:
Sunshine series
Nebulus -- salmon-flowered, green foliaged variety, is an excellent selection.
Pulsar -- has rose pink flowers and dark green variegated foliage.
Radiance -- has cherry pink flowers with dark green variegated foliage.
Equinox -- light pink flowers. It has bronze, non-variegated foliage.
Sunglow -- Salmon-orange bicolored flowers, dark green variegated foliage
Lasting Impressions series
Blazon -- produces large red flowers atop dark green foliage.
Cameo -- salmon pink flowers with medium green foliage, slight variegation.
Twice as Nice series
has double flowers with 6 different flower color choices.
Pure Beauty series
Aurore -- orange-red flowers with bronze foliage, slightly variegated.
Melissa -- produces coral pink flowers atop dark green foliage.
Thecla -- has pink flowers with an eye and dark green foliage.
Celerio -- pinkish lilac bicolored flowers, bronze foliage, slight variegation.
In the Paradise series
Tobago -- has light coral flowers with bronze foliage.
Celebration series
Candy Pink -- is a light pink bi-colored variety with dark green foliage.
Light Lavender -- is a lavender variety with green variegated foliage.
Danzinger series
Danhill -- has red flowers with green foliage.
Dandin -- produces lavender pink flowers on dark green foliage.
Danshir -- has coral flowers and dark green foliage.
Bull series.
Doerte -- produces dark lilac pink flowers with green foliage.
