Monday, June 13, 2011

Impatiens: A Sweet and Generous Flower


Impatiens are sweet flowers that are generous with their blooms.

Native to Africa and Asia there are more than 600 species of this flower.  They come in many different colors. Pink is one of my favorites.


The impatiens shown in the photo above make me think of peppermint candies that come wrapped in cellophane. 

In her book, "Garden Flower Folklore," Author Laura Martin notes that Dr. Edward Bach, an early 20th Century physician, mixed pink impatiens oil and brandy and gave it to people who were overanxious or irritable.  (Man oh man, most of us could probably think of a few people we'd like to give that concoction to. )

The thing I love about impatiens is they can survive in the shade or in full sun. They need to be kept watered, though, or they just wilt.

We have a little fountain in our backyard (you can read more about it here, if you are interested: http://writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com/2010/10/dreams-do-come-true-for-metamorphosis.html ) and I want to plant several impatiens all around it. My plan was to go to the Saturday Farmers Market but since there was torrential rain, that plan got axed.

Maybe this week, however, I can go impatiens-hunting.

WHAT COLOR  IMPATIENS IS YOUR FAVORITE ?  
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19 comments:

  1. middle childJune 12, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    My impatients were always lush and beautiful until the one year we chopped down the tree that gave them dappled sunlight. They always seemed to wilt in the sun after that. Now I put them on the north side of the house and they love it.

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  2. Chatty CroneJune 12, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    My favorite ones (and believe it or not I can grow them - lol) are the hot pink! Although the peppermint ones are new to me and I think they are beautiful!

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  3. Terri TiffanyJune 13, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    Hi Susan!
    Thank you for your sweet words to me. You always lift my spirits like your pictures do as well:) Beautiful flowers. I could never grow those well when we lived in PA. But I love them.

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  4. UnknownJune 13, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    Sweet Impatients! We have a fountain in our back yard that never works. My husband will get it running for an event and then it won't run after that! :( sigh... it is always something. But I love the look of the fountain... I just can't let it go.

    I would also love to put some flowers around it. But I think Hubs would have a cow. He needs to be able to get into it. Show us pics of yours when it is done. :)

    Have a great week.
    ~Liz

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  5. diane stetesonJune 13, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    I have had lots of impatiens in my yard ...all colors of the rainbow. It seems to do well here in So. Cal. I love all the colors.

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  6. Dayle ~ A Collection of DaysJune 13, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    I used to plant impatiens every spring ... around our little water feature, and in the front garden, as well. They are one of my favorite garden varieties, and the mixed pastels are my favorite way to plant them.

    I haven't planted impatiens in a few years; it gets so hot here and they need a sprinkler system in place to keep them lovely, even in the shade, but I hope to plant them again one of these years.

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  7. AnonymousJune 13, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    I love impatiens. Unfortunately where I live now they don't flourish as there is not enough shade for them.

    Your picture above looks like geraniums. Am I mistaken? I love those too. They do well for me and I plant them every year.

    Beth

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  8. DiannJune 13, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    I love impatients. they are such a tried and true flower for me to plant. They never let me down!

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  9. Tammy@T's Daily TreasuresJune 13, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    They do look like peppermints. I know they sure wouldn't survive in the sun we got going on over here. :/ Even I wilt when I go outside. Hope your day is great. Tammy

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  10. RebeccaJune 13, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Yours are so pretty. I got impatient with impatiens many years ago! I do very few annuals, actually... But if I were going to plant some, I'd sure like to find some like these!

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  11. KarenJune 13, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    Those are the prettiest impatiens I have ever seen!! I love how they look like peppermints :)

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  12. DorothyJune 13, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    So pretty!! I think we call them balsams too, in Australia :) Can't wait to see them bloom around that fountain!
    Blessings
    Dorothy :)

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  13. mumbai flowers deliveryJune 21, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    I love this flower and i will try to plant impatient in my garden.

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  14. Guantes DE NitriloJuly 2, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    SOOOO beautiful and what a gorgeous image, LOVE your coloring!!!!!

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  15. Guantes De ViniloJuly 9, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    I've just decided to create a blog, which I have been wanting to do for a while. Thanks for this post, it's really useful!

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  16. Botiquin De ParedJuly 15, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    Wow! outstanding visual, so appealing colors.

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  17. Florerias Ciudad De MexicoJuly 19, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Wow this pic is so lush and splendid! Thanks for providing this visual relief over here.

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  18. Luxury Villa Rentals In TuscanyAugust 11, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    Simply stunning! I've never really tried to make tags before. Yours are absolutely amazing!

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  19. Commercial Real Estate SoftwareAugust 12, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Just wanted to let you know I love your blog and am your newest follower!

    ReplyDelete