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A mild fragrant flower to grow in your partially shaded garden would be New Guinea Impatiens. They have dark green leaves with violet veins, and showy flora ranging from deep violet to white. The more common colors are deep red, sherbet orange and soft pink.
These would make a brilliant border for such a garden, but beware. They can grow up to 18 inches high in good soil and take up just as much space from plant to plant.
Most people tend to buy impatiens in garden centers and plant nurseries. You can try to grow them from seed. Hopefully you have the patience for this.
Moist soil, not soaking, will be ideal for these cool climate plants. Be careful not to go too long in watering these thirsty flowers. A good layer of mulch will keep the soil moist during those hot days.
New Guinea impatiens should be dog, cat and rabbit deterrents. This is not always the case, as not all of these animals know this. If they are hungry enough they will try to eat them or dig them up.
This is one of my new favorite plants, too. It looks great around the base of a crepe myrtle tree along with monkey grass.
A rich soil composition will keep the impatiens growing from early spring to late fall. You should not have to amend the soil during that time unless you did not have it tested beforehand.
New Guinea impatiens grow well in pots, hanging baskets, and flower boxes. You can grow them indoors or outdoors.
For those of you who have ever grown African violets, you will find that impatiens can be just as temperamental. The flower petals will fall off very easily, and yet you can start a new plant from a leaf cutting.
You may find that you grow the New Guinea impatiens better indoors near an east or west window than you do outside. The scent of the flowers will eventually fill your home.
Leaf burn and loss of petals are a sure sign of too much direct sun. You may need to relocate them if this is the case. Impatiens will attract pests to them. Thrips, cyclamen mite, and the two-spotted spider mite are the main nuisances to this particular plant.
Banrot and Ornalin are the two better pesticides to use against these pesky critters. Test a small spot before treating the entire plant.
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Author Bio Box: Harold Sink
 Calloway's Nurseries,
Puckett's Nurseries and Landscaping,
Personal Experience
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