IMPATIENS

Amongst the annuals that can grow and flower well in the shade, there are few that provide the range and intensity of colour of Impatiens, an important genus in the family Balsaminaceae. Impatiens are one of the most popular bedding plants because of their beauty and ease of growth. New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens x hawkeri) have only recently become popular bedding plants since their introduction in 1972. Most are grown in hanging baskets or as potted plants for transplanting into the landscape or as container plants for the patio or window boxes.

The majority of cultivars are currently propagated vegetatively, although seed-propagated cultivars have recently come to the market. Several plants were brought back form New Guinea and were initially given separate species names. However, cytogenetic work has shown that they belong to one species (Impatiens hawkeri) but a lot of variation exists within the species. Crosses with additional species form Java and the Celebes islands has led to the plants in production today. Recent breeding have concentrated on shorter plants, shorted production times, heat and water stress tolerance, and variation in flower and foliage size and colour.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.