Family
Balsaminaceae
Botanical Name
IMPATIENS( New Guinea Hybrid, PETTICOAT SERIES)
Plant Common Name
New Guinea Impatiens, Petticoat New Guinea Impatiens
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Colorful and heat-tolerant, New Guinea Impatiens can be distinguished from common garden impatiens by their larger flowers, lance-shaped often beautifully colored leaves and bushy upright or vase-shaped habit.
The New Guinea hybrids are combined crosses between several parent species to include Impatiens hawkeri, I. schlechteri and I. platypetala. This suite of tropical perennials were collected from the island of Papua New Guinea, which is northeast of Australia.
Their stems are fleshy, succulent and support lance-shaped leaves in various shades of bronze, purple, green and gold, some are even variegated. The five-petaled flowers are large, flattened and come in shades of pink, rose, white, lavender, orange and red. If given ideal growing conditions, these will bloom continuously and no deadheading is required.
New Guinea impatiens, though more heat and sun tolerant than common impatiens, do prefer several hours of shade per day, particularly in hot and humid climates. These cold-sensitive perennials are planted as summer annuals in colder zones and winter annuals or tender, short-lived perennials in warmer areas. Well-drained, rich, moist soils and regular applications of water are best for vigorous growth and flowering, but excess water at the root zone will lead to root and stem rot. These popular bedding plants add quick and easy color to any colorful border or container.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
6"-36" / 15.2cm - 91.4cm
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Width
8"-36" / 20.3cm - 91.4cm
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Hybrid Origin
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Red, Orange, Pink, Salmon, Lavender
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Fruit Color
Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Yellow, Red, Green, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Yellow, Red, Green, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Red, Green, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Yellow, Red, Green, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Hanging Basket, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
No