The difference between New Guinea and regular Impatiens
 (Read 500+ times)
By Glory Lennon
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When looking for an annual plant which will bloom throughout the summer months the general opinion is you should look for Impatiens. An absolute favorite for both the fanatic and the amateur gardener Impatiens are sold by the millions throughout the country and perhaps worldwide. They can be readily found as seeds and transplants, in hanging baskets and as bedding plants. Because these plants are so easy to grow, are so readily available, so cheap to get, come in virtually every shade of the rainbow (minus a couple of colors, that is), make the garden sparkle like none other and are ever-blooming they will never be surpassed in the annual bedding plant department.
There was and perhaps still is, however, some confusion with Impatiens when a new breed was introduce several years ago. That would be the New Guinea Impatiens which is just as much an easy going plant as its cousin the regular or Impatiens wallerana to give it the correct botanical name.
Not that it is very important to know the difference between these two plants which have such similar growing requirements but for those ardent gardeners who simply need to know all about every plant within their reach, (not at all a bad thing by the way), here is a crash course on the subtle and perhaps not-so-subtle variances between the New Guinea and the regular Impatiens.
I,wallerana has the common name Busy Lizzy in some parts of the country due to its prolific blooming but more often than not it is simply called Impatiens. The foliage on this plant is a medium green with a slightly dull sheen. Leaves are ever-so-slightly serrated on the edge with barely visible light green or white veining. The oblong leaves are approximately 1-2 inches wide and about 1-3 inches long depending on cultivar.
The 1-2 inch wide flowers come in single, semi-double and fully double forms with the fully doubles at times called Rose Impatiens. These truly look like perfect miniature roses. An extremely pretty variety and a relatively good substitute for those who simply can’t grow a real miniature rose.
As for color, regular Impatiens come in so many colors it is easier to state which ones they don’t come in. That would be the true blue and yellow. From purest white to all shades of pink, red and orange both neon brights and pastels you will find them. Some cultivars even come in bi-colors which make for even more varieties. So many in fact that there are too numerous to mention. Suffice it to say the very particular garden enthusiast can find just about any color to suit their mood, their garden theme or color scheme especially if they are willing to start from seed.
The plant itself, again depending on cultivar, is anywhere between 8-24 inches tall with a spread of about the same. It grows in neat, low-growing mounds and generally are used very effectively in mass planting, as edging plants, in hanging baskets, container gardens and even, if you can believe it, as houseplants. As these are tropical plants they will not make it through the winter other than in USDA zones 10 and 11. In colder zones Impatiens will die down as soon as frost hits. At times, however, seeds can winter-over to self-sow in spring.
Impatiens are said to be shade plants but this isn’t quite right. They like sun but not a very harsh one. They will, however, wilt if left in full sun all day. Morning sun with afternoon semi or full shade, especially in the hottest summer places, will make them quite happy. Actually in the warmest parts of the world Impatiens are grown mostly during the winter months when the sun is a tad less harsh or in summer in dappled or full shade. They like a rich, well draining yet moisture retentive soil. They do not like to be dry but they also rot easily if sitting in water.
New Guinea Impatiens seem to appeal to those who are a bit bored with the regular Impatiens. They do look different enough to make a slight difference in your garden or hanging pots if you ever were to get bored with the regular Impatiens. Growing requirements are almost the same except that New Guineas are a tad more tolerant of sun. The flowers are also rather similar in shape and size and come in about the same colors, possibly a few less shades but hybridizers are constantly coming up with new colors. These blossoms, however, are produced less abundantly than regular Impatiens. Like the regular Impatiens, New Guineas do not require any deadheading although if they become leggy pinching back is suggested. These snipped off pieces can then be potted up to grow more plants as they root quite as easily as the regular Impatiens.
The best way to differentiate the New Guinea from the regular Impatiens is the foliage. Leaves are more slender on the New Guinea Impatiens and in some cultivars rather showy and variegated. Leaves can have a reddish, purplish or bronzy tint to the glossy, darker, more vibrant green, veining is more pronounced and the stems are generally burgundy in color. The leaves are about 3-5 inches long depending on cultivar and 1-3 inches wide. New Guinea Impatiens grow a bit more upright than the regular kind and about 1-2 feet tall with a 15 inch spread.
If you look at them both side by side you can tell right away the differences between the regular and the New Guinea Impatiens. But if you want to know which is better you’d have to decide that for yourself by trying them both. Each gardener has his or her own idea after all. Most gardeners if given the chance would make room for both, if that gives you any indication of the love Impatiens of all kinds engender.
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
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