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IMPATIENS (RIVIERA SERIES, New Guinea Hybrid)

Image of Impatiens (New Guinea Hybrid, RIVIERA SERIES)

Family

Balsaminaceae

Botanical Name

IMPATIENS( New Guinea Hybrid, RIVIERA SERIES)

Plant Common Name

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

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 15

  • 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

  • Plant Type

    Tender Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    6"-36" / 15.2cm - 91.4cm

  • Width

    8"-36" / 20.3cm - 91.4cm

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Red, Orange, Pink, Salmon, Lavender

  • Fruit Color

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Yellow, Red, Green, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Yellow, Red, Green, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Yellow, Red, Green, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Yellow, Red, Green, Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Hanging Basket, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No