Impatiens arguta 'Alba'

RHS Plant Profile

balsam 'Alba'

RHS / Joanna Kossak

Herbaceous Perennial

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

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 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 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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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