Mortellaro's Nursery
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Impatiens
Impatiens wallerana
Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) is a shade-loving annual that provides bright, non-stop blooms throughout the warm season. Known for its soft, rounded foliage and dense floral coverage, it thrives in garden beds, borders, containers, and hanging baskets where sun exposure is limited. Blooming from spring through fall, it brings vibrant color in shades of pink, red, white, purple, and orange. The ProForm and Tango series of impatiens are particularly well-suited for Texas, offering vigorous growth and enhanced disease resistance compared to older varieties. Furthermore, the Imara® XDR series, stands for "Xtreme Disease Resistance." This designation indicates that these plants have been bred to exhibit a high level of resistance to diseases, particularly downy mildew, which has historically affected Impatiens walleriana varieties.
Impatiens prefer moist, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. They perform best in partial to full shade, where their delicate blooms remain vibrant and fresh. While not drought-tolerant, they recover quickly with consistent moisture. They are deer-resistant but may be browsed occasionally if alternative food sources are scarce.
Reaching a mature size of 10-14 inches tall and 12-16 inches wide, impatiens are ideal for mass plantings where dense, colorful coverage is desired. When planting in groups, space plants 8-12 inches apart to ensure healthy airflow and prevent overcrowding. Unlike some other annuals, impatiens do not reseed reliably, requiring replanting each season.
As an annual in USDA Zones 2-11, impatiens thrive in warm, shaded areas but cannot withstand frost. In Texas, they perform best in spring and fall, as extreme summer heat may cause stress if moisture levels are not maintained. Regular deadheading is unnecessary, as they self-clean and continuously produce new blooms.
2025 Cultivars
Imara XDR Proform Mix
Imara XDR Tango Mix
Imara XDR Mix
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Spring-Fall Annual |
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Shade-Loving Annual |
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Non-Stop Blooms |
Flower Color:Red, Pink, Purple, or White |
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Height:24 Inches |
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Spread:24 Inches |
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Spacing:8-12 in |
Characteristics & Attributes
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Deer Tolerance
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Exposure
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Habit
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Soil pH Preference
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Water Needs
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Tolerates Poor Drainage
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