Impatiens (Impatiens tinctoria)

Impatiens
Impatiens tinctoria

First flower open on Sept 1st 06. It's large, heavily scented, and amazing!

Janet, that is really lovely.

Isn't it just gorgeous, I had wanted this for so long and found it at www.cgf.net they do have some unusual stuff, it wasn't listed but I had seen it on their old site so I asked. I got it last year and it was in a fairly large pot in the greenhouse, I was worried it might not come back as it was a hard and long winter, but it did. I planted it in my new bed in June and it took off, they make really robust thick roots. They are said to be borderline hardy, I have it in sandy soil and will mulch it well, but probalby should take some cuttings. It might make seeds too, if the weather is kind to it.

The wind was really strong yesterday and it was being whipped about, rain at times too, today it's still quite windy but only the bottom edge is slightly bruised. It smells like a strong musky scented lily. The tail is at least 4" long, I'd say the flower is getting on 3" across.

I had buds on it last year in mid October and we had a hard frost, this is it's first flower. If I get seeds you are welcome to some.

Wow, that is a beautiful flower! Did you get it from a starter plant or from seeds? I would luv to try and get seeds for it.
:) Donna

I bought the plant, it was fairly mature I think in at least a 5" pot. It was early in the season when I got it and it was only just starting to grow. I potted it into larger pots once it started to grow quickly, they make a large fleshy root system so you have to end up with a really large pot, and best in the ground eventually.

It is perennial but your zone would be too cold, it could be kept in a very large pot. I don't think I've ever seen seeds, species normally do make them but for some reason this one isn't seen commercially. It could be because of it's quick growth, sellers don't like to have to cope with a plant that needs to be potted on, neither do they want a plant that takes too long to grow! Specialist nurseries are the people who stock this type of plant simply because they have the passion for plants.

I will keep a watch for seeds! I don't know if it's self fertile either, but will find out.

Thanks, Wally!

I found an interesting write up on that other site, we have a calla lady here I think?

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/impatiens/msg1115052626738.html?3

I found a thread on DG from a google, someone recently looking for a fragrant impatiens,

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/611788/

HI Janet, thanks, if you do get seeds would love some.