The Impatiens plant, a classic and beloved choice for gardens, is renowned for its prolific and vibrant blooms that thrive in shady areas. The most common variety, Impatiens walleriana, is a fast-growing, succulent-stemmed annual that forms a dense, mounding habit, typically reaching 6 to 24 inches in height. Known as “Busy Lizzie,” its name comes from the impatience of its seed pods, which burst open at the slightest touch to disperse seeds.

Impatiens are celebrated for their showy, flat-faced flowers that come in a wide spectrum of colors, including white, pink, red, orange, and purple. The blooms are present from late spring until the first frost, carpeting shady beds and containers with a continuous splash of color. They are a staple for filling out areas under trees and in window boxes where many other flowering plants would struggle.

While impatiens love shade, they require consistently moist, well-drained soil to flourish. They are sensitive to both drought and overwatering, which can lead to wilting or root rot. Newer varieties, such as New Guinea impatiens and SunPatiens, offer more sun tolerance and disease resistance, providing gardeners with versatile options for both sunny and shady locations.