Problems affecting Impatiens

I recently found out that there are a number of very serious problems affecting the beloved shade-tolerant annual Impatiens. The 2 most serious are Downy Mildew and a virus called Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus.

Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus is not very well understood yet. It is believed to be caused by a small bug called a thrip (also called a thunderfly, storm bug, corn fly or corn lice). The thrip is a very tiny cigar-shaped insect with fringed wings.
The virus causes wilting, stem death, yellowing, poor flowering, sunken spots and/or ring spots on the leaves. But many times the plant dies without showing any symptoms at all.

Downy Mildew causes the same type of damage. Within several weeks of planting, a bout of humid or wet weather can cause perfectly healthy impatiens to suddenly lose all their flowers and leaves and be bare stalks overnight.

Many green houses in the USA have stopped growing and selling impatiens or at least have cut back by 75%.

Last summer this problem starting appearing more often in Canadian gardens.

This is a real shame. Impatiens have long been the most reliable colour annual for shady areas.

What now?

Well, no one is saying not to plant impatiens. The reports are just warning what could happen.
New Guinea Impatiens/Sunshine Impatiens do not succumb to this problem at all.

If you decide not to plant impatiens, here are some good alternatives:

Fibrous or wax begonias were my top performers last summer. Great for sun or shade.

Another wonderful substitute is Tuberous or Rex Begonia. These are gorgeous but quite a bit more expensive.

Coleus has made amazing strides these past years. They now come in a wide array of colours, textures and sizes. They perform best with a bit of shade or in full shade.

Caladium is an indoor plant but I have had much success with its gorgeous pink speckled leaves in shade containers.

Heuchera is another plant that has evolved a lot in the past years. It is a perennial, therefore will cost more up front, but it comes back year after year, so it will pay off in the long run. The reason I mention it as a replacement for impatiens is that it also comes in many multi-colours and stays lovely the whole summer.

Brunnera is another speckle leaf perennial that looks great all summer long.

Variegated Hosta can also add punch to a summer border. Not as much colour as impatiens, but a strong choice to replace the poor little sickly standard.

Please check out my food blog - the latest post is Roasted Chicken Thighs with Potatoes.

The Power of Annuals

Datura, grown by my Dad from seed in 2009

Today is September 1st.
It's been a long hot dry summer here in southern Ontario.
I used the sprinkler more this summer than any other summer in the past years. Days upon days of furnace-like heat and humidity made a few plants shrivel up and croak, if I didn't water them soon enough.
Most of my perennials have come and gone, leaving behind green foliage.

All I can say is - thank goodness for ANNUALS!!!
They are the only flowers still blooming at the moment and most are very beautiful.

My lime green coleus and burgundy coleus are strong shocks of colour in the front garden

Multi-coloured impatiens puffed up 10x their original size

In my front garden, I had my godson Rob carve out a section from the invading periwinkle. The area proved to be my best "pop" of colour and had great curb appeal. Among the flowers are Dusty Miller, allyssum, ageratum, petunia, pelargoniums and lisianthus with 2 barberry bushes as background.

Here is my show-stopper: Lisianthus, also known as Prairie Gentian, Texas Bluebell and Prairie Rose. In fact it's often mistaken for a rose.

These plants are very long-lasting in pots or in garden beds.

As cut flowers, they can last up to 2 weeks in a vase!

They have a reputation of being very finicky and hard to grow from seed but my Dad is very successful at it and gives me some each year. 

Everyone grows pelargoniums and yes, they are very "ordinary" but they are garden work-horses: always looking good from early spring until the very end of autumn. I make sure I have some in the garden every year.

Soon enough, we'll be closing the pool and the long summer days will be gone……
But then comes AUTUMN :)
Cooler days, deliciously cool nights and still lots happening in the garden!!