These super bloomers beat Grandmas old-fashioned impatiens by a country mile.
SunPatiens (Impatiens x hybridaSunPatiens).
These hybrid plants were developed from the old-fashionedgarden impatiens(I. walleriana) that became popular in the 1960s.
Credit: Steve Bender
But SunPatiens have a lot more to offer.
SunPatiens provide instant impact for borders,containers, and hanging baskets.
They produce so many flowers that there is no need to deadhead spent blooms.
All you oughta do to keep them blooming all season long is an occasional light dose of fertilizer.
Light
As the name implies, SunPatiens grow in full sun.
SunPatiens bloom best with at least four hours of direct sunlight a day or in dappled sunlight.
Expect fewer blooms in the shade.
Compost helps sandy soils retain more moisture, while coarser materials help improve drainage in clay soil.
The soil pH should be between 5.8 and 7.0.
Very acidic or alkaline soils prevent the plants from absorbing nutrients.
Fortunately, SunPatiens are easy to grow in containers if your garden soil isn’t conducive to growing them.
Water
After planting, water your SunPatiens frequently to keep the soil moist.
After two weeks, the roots should be established, so you’re able to reduce watering.
The best time to water SunPatiens is in the morning or evening.
Don’t panic if you notice your SunPatiens wilting in the middle of the day.
Water them deeply and they’ll recover without dropping flowers, flower buds, or foliage.
Hot, drying winds may draw moisture from the plants, but they should survive with water.
However, like other impatiens, they cannot survive frost.
If you expect the temperature to drop below 50oF, bring container plants indoors overnight.
Fertilizer
Go easy on the fertilizer because too much causes SunPatiens to grow leggy and bloom less.
The fertilizer should last about four months.
Pruning
There is no need to prune or deadhead SunPatiens to keep the blooms coming.
That doesnt mean you cant give them a trim if needed.
Theres no need to deadhead as new flowers will grow to cover old ones.
Propagating SunPatiens
As a trademarked plant, SunPatiens are prohibited from being propagated in any form.
Potting And Repotting SunPatiens
SunPatiens make excellent container plants.
Any container you use must have a drainage hole.
For single plants, use a container that is about 2 inches wider than the nursery pot.
For a mixed container, choose a pot that is at least 14 inches wide.
Fill partially with high-quality, well-draining potting mix.
Fill in around the plant with more potting mix.
Containers generally require more frequent watering than in-ground plants.
In most of the South, it is best totreat them as an annual.
They will only last for more than one season in a frost-free climate, such as southern Florida.
Mulch that is piled up against the stems may cause stem rot.
Yellowing leaves, wilting, discolored roots, and dark sunken areas on stems are all symptoms of rot.
Make certain your soil is well-drained and not soggy to help prevent these diseases.
Water less frequently during cloudy, cool, or rainy weather.
SunPatiens attract spider mites and thrips.
Remove severely damaged leaves and spray off webbing and mites with a strong stream of water.
Doing this frequently may sufficiently control the problem.
Thrips scar and deform leaves and flowers.
The insects look long and slender during all life stages, but the adults have wings.
They are usually yellowish or straw-colored.
Keep the area weed-free and the lawn mowed to help reduce their population numbers.
Horticultural oil or an insecticide containing spinosad, sprayed directly onto thrips, is used to treat infestations.
You may need to repeat this a few times over a week to control them.
Don’t spray open flowers with pesticides, which couldharm pollinatorsthat visit the flowers.
If your plant is in a shady spot, consider moving it to encourage more flowering.
The plants may not set buds if outdoor temperatures are below 55oF.
Improve drainage if possible and remove any mulch until the soil has a chance to dry out.
Don’t water plants when the soil is already moist.
Scorched Leaves
Completely brown leaves or dry, brown patches on leaves indicate leaf scorch.
This is the result of underwatering during hot, sunny weather or hot, dry winds.
You may need to water more frequently.
Scorched leaves may also be a sign of overfertilizing.
To fix fertilizer burn, water deeply to help the fertilizer wash away.
For container plants, empty the saucer underneath to discard the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
SunPatiens are larger than impatiens and grow to a bushier form.
They are known for their many blooms from spring through fall and tolerate heat and humidity well.
SunPatiens need much less water than impatiens.
They cannot tolerate full shade, while impatiens can tolerate heavy shade.
SunPatiens are not suited to be grown as houseplants.
That’s one of the benefits of these super bloomersthey dont need deadheading to keep blooming.
