Impatiens sodenii

RHS Plant Profile

poor man's rhododendron

Synonyms

Impatiens sodenii subsp. sodenii var. ugandense
Impatiens ugandensis
Impatiens sodenii subsp. oliveri

Herbaceous Perennial Conservatory Greenhouse

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An evergreen, frost-tender, bushy perennial or subshrub to 1.5m tall. Its leaves are narrowly-oval, toothed, up to 15cm long and arranged in whorls of 6-12. White or pale pink flowers, sometimes with darker markings, are borne singly or in pairs, mainly in the summer, at the tips of the stems

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–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): H1C

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: Correct
Plant Range: E Tropical Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in a sheltered, partially-shaded site and a moist but well-drained soil with protection from frost

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Sub-tropical
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free