Impatiens (mixed)

You can use impatiens flowers as bedding plants, border plants or in containers. They enjoy moist but well draining soil and partial to deep shade. They do not do as well in full sun, but if you would like to plant them in full sun, they will need to be acclimated to the harsher light. You can do this by exposing the impatiens plants to increasing amount of sunlight over the course of a week.

 NOTE:

There have been reports of Downy Mildew showing up on impatiens and double impatiens around Michigan.

Downy Mildew is a destructive foliar disease of impatiens and double impatiens that is capable of causing complete defoliation or plant collapse, in a short amount of time. The spores produced on the underside of infected leaves are easily dislodged and can be spread short distances by water splash and much longer distances by air currents.

At this time we are working on keeping our customers informed with all the knowledge available. This disease of impatiens has been a blow to our industry, which is beyond our control.

Once an impatiens has downy mildew, it cannot be cured. All infective plant, root, and debris in the garden should be placed in a plastic bag and destroyed. These plants should not be composted. Make note of the planting areas, and avoid re-planting impatiens in these beds next year. Spores in the flower beds that can survive temperatures to -15.