IMPATIENS. Widespread but especially concentrated in the tropics and subtropics of Asia and Africa. A huge group of annuals, herbaceous perennials and shrubs, some of them highly ornamental. The stems are often succulent, the leaves smooth and undivided. The 5-petalled flowers may be nearly regular (wheel-like) or shaped nearly like a snapdragon or linaria. Facing backward behind the petals is a nectar-bearing spur. Colors include almost any imaginable shade or combination. The seed capsules are explosive, and some species reseed aggressively. Impatiens are best known as bedding annuals and house plants. However, the following are suitable for the open garden. Sun or shade near the coast, part shade inland, many soils, moderate to frequent watering. They are great fodder for whitefly and mites, which are best controlled by keeping the plants well-ventilated. Hardiness varies.

balfouri. Poor man’s orchid. A bushy perennial up to 3’ tall. It has rather slender, bright green stems and pointed-oval leaves, shiny above. Throughout the summer it bears sprays of irregular 2-lipped flowers, combining white, magenta and yellow. It reseeds prolifically around the garden but is easy to rogue out. Hardy to 18^oF or less.

oliveri. Poor man’s rhododendron. A bushy, thick-stemmed semishrub. It grows as much as 8’ high, with even greater spread, though it is easily restrained by pruning. Bright green leaves 4-8" long are set in whorls along the stems. Clusters of broad-petalled 2-3" flowers, colored pale pink to lilac, are presented at the shoot tips much of the year. Hardy to around 20^o, resprouting after severe damage to the tops.

uguensis. This species is similar in most respects to I. oliveri, above, though perhaps even larger and more vigorous. It has thick, succulent stems and bright, shiny leaves. The flowers are similarly large but colored white with red markings. Culture and hardiness as for I. oliveri.