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Herbaceous Perennial

Impatiens arguta 'Alba'

balsam 'Alba'

An upright, hardy deciduous shade-loving perennial with toothed mid green foliage and drooping, pure white trumpet-shaped flowers which appear from midsummer onwards

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–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)

Botanical details

Family: Balsaminaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
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 position in full or partial shade. Mulch well in winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Sub-tropical
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required other than to cut down stems at the end of the season

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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