Impatiens tinctoria

RHS Plant Profile
dyers busy lizzie

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Impatiens tinctoria?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
dyers busy lizzie RHS
dyers busy lizzie RHS
dyers busy lizzie RHS
Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
13 Suppliers

A vigorous, erect, tuberous perennial, to 2m tall, with fleshy stems and dark green, deeply-veined leaves up to 23cm long. Sprays of hooded and spurred, scented, white flowers up to 6cm across, with dark pink markings in the centre, are produced in summer and autumn

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or North–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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
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
Correct
Plant Range
E Tropical Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position in 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

Pruning

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

Pests

Generally problem free

Diseases

Generally problem free