70+ Types of Impatiens (with Pictures)
Because of their vibrantly colored blooms and the fact that they can thrive in shaded areas, impatiens are among the most popular annual flowers for gardens. While they are technically considered tropical perennials, these plants are typically grown as annuals in nearly all regions in the United States (except zones 10 to 12).
New Guinea, Jewelweed, Rose Balsam, Big Bounce Red, Bounce White, and Bounce Pink Flame are among the best types of impatiens. Varieties such as Fiesta Ole Peppermint, Fiesta White, Divine Mix, Pale Jewelweed, and Nebulus are popular with homeowners. Colorful options like Sunstanding Salmon Pink and Painted Paradise Lilac are some of the most distinct looking impatiens.
Follow along as we explore the many types of impatiens and see what makes them unique.
What Are Impatiens?
Impatiens get their name from the Latin word impatiens, which means “impatient.” This stems from the fact that their ripe seed pods will oftentimes burst open even from the slightest touch (like they’re impatient to open). These colorful plants also have many nicknames, including touch-me-not and Bussy Lizzy – due to their ability to produce numerous blooms.
Though impatiens are technically a perennial and are bred as such, they are most often planted as annuals. In fact, they will die after the first frost of the year and will only survive as perennials in the warmest temperatures (zones 10 through 12).
They are commonly used as a bedding plant, offering stunning, high-impact color in pink, orange, white, and bright red hues. Their colors attract butterflies and look wonderful when planted in hanging baskets, borders, containers, and in clusters throughout a garden. With over 1000 available species, it can be challenging to decide which type of impatiens to choose. That’s where we come in!
Types of Impatiens
The following are some of the most common varieties of impatiens that can be found at your local garden center, along with their distinguishing characteristics.
Traditional Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
Traditional impatiens, also known as bedding impatiens, are the easiest to care for and best performing varieties. Traditional impatiens have much to offer, including long-lasting blooms, brightly colored flowers in a range of colors, and shade tolerance. Native to Africa, this plant has long been one of the most popular bedding plants in North America, especially for shady gardens. They are also often used in hanging baskets, window boxes, and other container gardens.
Though, as previously mentioned, it is highly susceptible to downy mildew. Downy mildew is a fungal disease caused by the fungus Plasmopara obducens. It is typically introduced into a garden through infected plants, like impatiens. Leaves of infected impatiens will turn yellow and ultimately die and fall off. The disease can be identified by a white flour-like substance on the underside of the leaves.
In 2004, downy mildew quickly destroyed impatiens breeding stock in commercial nurseries all around North America. The disease basically halted the commercial sale of standard impatiens for over a decade. In fact, traditional impatiens didn’t see a revival until 2019 when a number of mildew-resistant hybrids were developed. Here are some of the most common series’ of common impatiens:
- Accent Series: This variety prefers partial shade conditions, yielding multi-color, mounded, dwarf blooms in both spring and summer.
- Blitz Series: Produces large flowers – two to three inches wide. This series is both heat and drought-tolerant.
- Carousel Series: This series consists of well-branched, compact plants with double blooms.
- Dazzler Series: As indicated by the name, this series produces brilliant hues of pink, red, orange, and white. It is the ideal choice for container gardens.
- DeZire Series: Features a number of versatile impatiens, suitable for hanging baskets, gardens, and containers.
- Expo Series: When compared to other varieties, this series delivers more blooms per season. They also come in a wide array of color options to choose from.
- Fiesta Series: Can thrive in both full shade and partial shade. This series produces double blooms.
- Super Elfin Series: A popular choice for abundant blooms and a compact growing habit.
- Super Elfin XP Series: Ideal for shady locations, featuring solid, consistent growth.
- Imara XDR Series: A new disease-resistant series produced by the Syngenta company that became available in 2019. The series includes seven colors, in addition to a range of color mixes.
- Beacon Series: Introduced in 2020, this is another mildew-resistant series of traditional impatiens. It is derived from the Super Elfin line, with a broad range of hues available.
New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri)
New Guinea impatiens are an improved variety that offers multi-colored foliage and is generally larger and showier than standard impatiens. This type of impatiens is also more tolerant to sun, though it cannot handle prolonged direct sunlight exposure. They won’t bloom when night temperatures reach 70 degrees, and they typically go out of flower in summer or when drought-stressed.
Their low tolerance for drought is the only disadvantage to this type of impatiens. When they become dry, it doesn’t take long for them to start drooping. During hot dry weather, you may need to water these plants on a daily basis, especially those planted in pots. Since New Guinea Impatiens have regular watering needs, make sure to plant them around others with similar requirements.
Many gardeners and growers prefer the New Guinea variety for use in container gardens. The largest advantage, in recent years, is that this type is resistant to downy mildew. Some of the best varieties of New Guinea impatiens include:
- Celebrette Series: This series produces shell pink blooms with a distinct violet blotch. It grows best in full to partial shade.
- Clockwork Series: Has a uniform growing habit and yields flowers in nearly every hue.
- Celebration Series: This series is ideal for container gardens and borders. It thrives in both full sun and partial shade.
- Devine Series: This series features a distinct green to bronze foliage and performs best in partial sun.
- Harmony Series: This series blooms early in the season and consistently from spring to autumn. It comes in four different hues: magenta, salmon, purple, and orange.
- SunStanding Series: Performs well in both shade and sun and features a compact growing habit.
Interspecific Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri ‘SunPatiens’)
Interspecific impatiens, or SunPatiens, are a hybrid developed by the Japanese seed company Sakata. They thrive in hot weather – specifically full sun and humidity. In places like Florida, this variety of impatiens will flower year-round. Being one of the most versatile varieties, they can be grown in both sun and shade. As an added bonus, like New Guinea, SunPatiens are also unaffected by downy mildew.
They require regular watering and should be paired with plants that have similar needs. Unlike New Guinea though, SunPatiens will not lose their buds when they are drought-stressed. They will grow vigorously with little maintenance required. In fact, it’s not necessary to cut or trim their growth and it could actually alter the growth habit of the plant and make it less appealing. Some series’ that fall under this variety include:
- Bounce Series: This is a low-maintenance variety that is fast-growing and is available in many hues. It thrives in both full shade and partial shade.
- Big Bounce Series: Similar to the aforementioned bounce series, the big bounce series features large ball-shaped clusters of blooms. It grows best in partial shade.
- SunPatiens Compact Series: This series features compact, mounded plants that thrive in both full sun and partial shade.
- SunPatiens Spreading Series: Ideal for hanging baskets and container gardens, this variety can grow in full sun and partial shade.
- SunPatiens Vigorous Series: Primarily used in landscapes and mass planting, this series consists of strong stems that can withstand inclement weather including wind and rain.
Balsamina Impatiens (Impatiens balsamina)
Commonly referred to as garden balsam or rose balsam, this variety of impatiens is rampant in Southeast Asia and India and ranges in size from eight to 16 inches. They are much smaller than standard impatiens (Impatiens walleriana). Many types of Balsamina Impatiens feature cup-shaped blooms. Common variations include:
- Balsam Tom Thumb Dwarf: This series produces colorful blooms and offers a uniform, compact growth habit.
- Carambole Series: Yields blooms in four distinct hues: lilac, creamy pink, white, and scarlet.
Jewelweed Impatiens (Impatiens capensis)
Native to the woodland areas of Northern and Eastern United States, Jewelweed impatiens range in size from 12 to 48 inches. They produce blooms that are available in typically orange or yellow hues. This variety of impatiens prefers shaded areas and moist, well-drained soil. It is commonly found along creeks, in ditches, bottomland soils, and typically growing next to its common relative, the yellow jewelweed.
Other common names for jewelweed impatiens include orange jewelweed, orange balsam, spotted touch-me-not, and spotted jewelweed.
Best Impatiens For Your Garden
Now that you have a greater understanding of the most common varieties of impatiens and the many lines that they include, let’s take a look at some lovely options that you can choose to display in your own garden.
1. Big Bounce Red
Considered a part of the interspecific impatiens category, this variety is mildew-resistant and appears very similar to new guinea impatiens. It yields stunning red blooms and the plant can reach between 16 and 22 inches in height.
2. Bounce White
Another interspecific type, bounce white impatiens are both shade and heat tolerant. As the name indicates, this variety produces beautiful white blooms. They can look lovely in both a container garden or across a landscape. The plant’s spreading habit allows it to grow up to a foot in height.
3. Bounce Pink Flame
This type of impatiens yields colorful blooms in coral, white, and cherry hues that draw butterflies, which can make a great addition to your garden. The plant ranges in size from 10 to 16 inches tall.
4. Fiesta Ole Peppermint
A common impatiens part of the fiesta series, this variety bears stunning double blooms in shades of white and pink – roughly resembling a peppermint stick. It is a compact plant that grows between 12 and 14 inches high.
5. Fiesta Double Impatiens
If you enjoy deep colors, this type of fiesta is a wonderful choice. It features double rose-like blooms and grows between 12 and 14 inches high.
6. Fiesta Ole Purple Stripe
Arguably one of the most attractive impatiens on this list, this variety blooms all summer long and features purple and white hues. Like other fiestas, it grows between 12 and 14 inches tall.
7. Fiesta White
Also belonging to the fiesta series, this type of impatiens is a wonderful choice if you’re looking for one with white blooms. It has a compact growing habit that is great for containers and features snow-white flowers that look similar to roses.
8. Fiesta Stardust Pink
Growing between 12 and 14 inches tall, this variety also features double blooms. It comes in a stunning shade of pale pink, with pinkish-white undersides.
9. Fiesta Pink Frost
Another fiesta variety, this type of impatiens has double flowers in various pink shades that look striking against the plant’s variegated foliage. It blooms all summer long and ranges in height from 12 to 16 inches tall.
10. Fiesta Salsa Red
If you are a fan of roses, you’re going to enjoy Fiesta Salsa Red impatiens. This plant features rose-like double blooms in a dazzling red hue. It can be used in container gardens or as garden bedding and grows between 12 and 14 inches high.
11. Fanfare Orchid Impatiens
The Fanfare Orchid impatiens are a trailing variety that can spread between 18 and 22 inches long. It features blooms in a gorgeous shade of orchid pink and has excellent sun tolerance.
12. Florific Sweet Orange
This variety offers dual-colored white and orange blooms that attract both butterflies and bees. It is a unique-looking new guinea impatiens that is low-maintenance, resistant to mildew, and delivers repeated flowering from spring to the first frost.
13. Florific White
Another new guinea variety, Florific White Impatiens are highly desirable for their resistance to downy mildew. It has soothing snow-white flowers and is considered one of the longest flowering options available. The plant ranges in height from eight to 12 inches.
14. Fusion Glow
Offering an intriguing shade of golden-yellow, this unique variety of impatiens also has orange throats. It can make a subtle, yet striking addition to your garden. Like most options on this list, Fusion Glow Impatiens typically grow between 12 and 16 inches tall.
15. Divine Mix
This low-maintenance variety has blooms in violet, white, lavender, and pink shades that persist throughout the entire summer. It grows to reach a height between eight and 12 inches.
16. Divine Violet
Another new guinea impatiens, this variety is award-winning. It is a dense, upright, mounding plant that features a deep, striking violet-purple hue. Divine Violet is a high-quality, affordable alternative to traditional impatiens, with a high resistance to downy mildew.
17. Divine Scarlet Bronze Leaf
This impatiens variety offers bold, scarlet round blooms that display from mid-spring to early fall. The pointy foliage remains a dark green hue with hints of coppery-bronze throughout the growing season.
18. Divine Lipstick
Like all other impatiens that are a part of the Divine series, this variety blooms all summer long. It features pink and reddish blooms with light centers.
19. Divine Cherry Red
This variety is heat tolerant, shade tolerant, low-maintenance, and features attractive deep green foliage with cherry red blooms.
20. Divine Mystic Mixture
Divine Mystic Mixture is a popular bedding variety that flowers nonstop throughout the growing season. It features a charming array of lavender, white, and violet blooms.
21. Divine Lavender
This Divine variety is a lovely lavender hue, as the name indicates, with light-colored centers
22. Pixie Pink Bicolor
A mini variety, this impatiens plant grows between seven and nine inches tall. Its blooms form in clusters, with a bright creamy pink hue and dark pink edges.
23. Infinity Orange
This is a vigorous, mounding plant that boasts clusters of large, cherry orange blooms from late spring to the first frost.
24. Painted Paradise Orange
This new guinea impatiens variety features dark green foliage with distinct yellow stripes and cheerful orange blooms. It grows to reach heights between 16 and 20 inches.
25. Painted Paradise Red
Painted Paradise Red Impatiens is distinguishable by its variegated foliage and attractive red flowers.
26. Painted Paradise White
A very unique plant, this variety of impatiens has large white blooms with yellow centers and variegated leaves.
27. Painted Paradise Pink
This is another new guinea painted paradise variety with the same distinct variegated foliage, but with pink blooms.
28. Painted Paradise Lilac
With large, lilac petals and variegated leaves, the Painted Paradise Lilac can reach up to 14 inches tall and has a compact growing habit.
29. Paradise Cherry Rose
Featuring vibrant reddish-pink blooms and light-colored centers, this variety of impatiens can grow up to 16 inches tall.
30. Paradise Mango Orange
This variety has bright orange flowers against dark green foliage. It is a mounding plant that generally reaches up to 16 inches tall.
31. Sun Harmony Baby Pink
This is a highly sun-tolerant variety that displays wide pink blooms all throughout summer and grows between 14 and 20 inches tall.
32. Sunstanding Salmon Pink
The Sunstanding Salmon Pink variety displays, as the names suggests, lovely salmon-pink flowers. It reaches between 12 and 15 inches in height.
33. Sunglow Impatiens
A stunning new guinea cultivar, this variety exhibits salmon-orange dual-colored blooms against dark green variegated foliage.
34. Tango Impatiens
This variety offers large orange flowers that breathtakingly complement the dark green leaves.
35. Celebration Candy Pink
Vibrant dark green foliage and light pink dual-colored blooms are what set this new guinea variety apart from the rest.
36. Celebration Purple Star
Another new guinea impatiens, Celebration Purple Star will make a big impact in your container gardens.
37. Celebration Orange
With showy, bright, cherry-orange blooms and dark leaves, the Celebration Orange plant is truly a sight to behold. It typically grows to reach around 16 inches in height.
38. Celebration Electric Rose
Deep green foliage and raspberry-red colored blooms are the distinguishing features of this new guinea impatiens variety.
39. Celebration Deep Red
With small white centers, vibrant red petals, and deep green leaves, this impatiens variety can grow up to 16 inches tall. This plant is also very attractive to hummingbirds.
40. Nebulus Impatiens
This new guinea cultivar is a beautiful plant, with eye-catching salmon-colored blooms and bright green foliage. It has a floriferous habit and offers early flowering and tolerance to both low and high temperatures.
41. Celebrette Purple Stripe
This eye-catching variety is a striking purple hue with white streaks. It generally grows to reach a height of 10 inches.
42. Pale Jewelweed
This variety of impatiens offers droopy, pale yellow blooms and recurved spurs. It typically grows between 24 and 48 inches tall and thrives in moist to wet soil.
43. Sonic Magic Pink Impatiens
This variety features large candy-pink petals, with white streaks. The Sonic Magic Pink Impatiens is a compact plant that is an ideal choice for containers but also looks wonderful as a cut flower.
Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design.
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