Impatiens niamniamensis 'Congo Cockatoo'

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parrot plant 'Congo Cockatoo'

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A short-lived, upright, evergreen perennial up to 90cm in height. The flattened, tubular flowers hang below the leaves and have a green, hooded mouth, yellow middle and red, hooked tail. It can flower at any time of year

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Clay, Chalk

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Clay Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
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)
H1B

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
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

Needs a sheltered, partially shaded site and a moist but well-drained soil. Grow in a container, protected over winter above at 15°C, or use in sub-tropical planting schemes for summer displays

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and vine weevil under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free