Impatiens walleriana

busy lizzie

Also commonly known as 'Busy Lizzie', 'Balsam', or simply 'Impatiens', this is a species of the genus Impatiens, native to eastern Africa from Kenya to Mozambique. It is a tender herbaceous perennial plant but mostly grown as annual bedding. It grows approximately 15–60 cm tall, with broad lanceolate leaves 3–12 cm long and 2–5 cm broad. Leaves are mostly alternate, although they may be opposite near the top of the plant. The changeable, simple leaves are stalked and 1.5 to 6 cm long, green and sometimes spotted, pinkish or reddish on the underside. It's a very floriferous plant with blooms 2–5 cm diameter, with five petals and a 1 cm spur. The leaves and stems are semi-succulent, and all parts of the plant (leaves, stems, flowers, roots) are rather soft and easily damaged. A very useful summer bedding plant for more shady locations in the garden that will also thrive in full sun if kept moist and well watered.