Impatiens walleriana Imara Series

RHS Plant Profile
busy lizzie Imara Series
Bedding Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

A new generation of plants that claim a better degree of resistance to downy mildew. The plants are compact and well branched and come in a range of classic Bizzie Lizzie colours from red, orange, pale-pink, salmon-pink, rose-pink, purple to white and bicolours too. These tender plants are popular and grown as annual summer bedding and will grow well in shade, semi-shade and in full sun too if kept moist and well watered. The leaves and stems are semi-succulent, and all parts of the plant (leaves, stems, flowers, roots) are rather soft and easily damaged so must be handled gently.

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 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
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Balsaminaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow on in warm frost free conditions. Acclimatise plants before planting outside in early summer. Pinching out when young will create a well balanced compact plant that is perfect for container cultivation. A useful bedding plant for any moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, partially shaded site.

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Hanging Basket
  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Bedding
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pinch out growing tip when young for a well-balanced and well-branched plant. Careful and regular dead-heading can prolong the flowering display well into autumn.

Pests

Generally pest-free. May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and vine weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free. Can be susceptible to downy mildew.