Impatiens omeiana 'Ice Storm'

RHS Plant Profile

Mount Omei busy lizzie 'Ice Storm'

Synonyms

Impatiens from China
Impatiens omeiana silver-leaved

Herbaceous Perennial

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A hardy rhizomatous cultivar that has a silvery frosting on the leaves and almost orchid-like, creamy yellow flowers in early autumn. The species is endemic to Sichuan in China. It looks great in a jungle or exotic scheme and is ideal for growing in a container too. Grow in moist, well-drained soil that doesn't dry out. It grows to 50-60cm in height and enjoys semi-shade best but will grow in sun too if kept moist and well watered.

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Balsaminaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright, Suckering
Genus: Impatiens can be annuals or evergreen perennials, with fleshy stems bearing simple, toothed leaves and solitary or clustered, spurred, 5-petalled flowers
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, preferably shady spot. Mulch around the plant to help protect and over-winter the shallow rhizomes

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free outdoors; if grown in a greenhouse or conservatory may be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly, vine weevil and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to damping off (seedlings) or grey mould (flower buds)