Note: This blog is part of a series featuring beautiful plants that will create an incredible show of color during the winter holidays in South Florida landscapes. Plants in this series are suitable for zone 10a to 11 b.
The day after Thanksgiving usually means gift shopping and sprucing up the landscape with color for the holidays.
Impatiens are an annual favorite for landscape color in cooler months. Alas as temperatures rise in April, May and June these will usually expire in the hot and humid landscape conditions. This year maybe instead of regular impatiens you might want to plant a different kind of impatien and plant them in a different way also! This can save water and a lot of work replanting year after year.
We normally recommend planting perennials plants featured in this series when our rainy season begins in late May and follow the Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM 9 principles. However, you can plant Sun Patiens or New Guinea Impatiens anytime of the year. Buy large plants or multiple plants and grow in a large pot. Decorate the pot with a large bow for the holidays.
Since you are planting Impatiens in a pot you safely fertilize, and water as needed without harm to the environment.
If our winter weather in south Florida is mild, meaning not too hot, potted impatiens can stay outdoors but out of direct sunlight. Morning sun and broken shade filtering thru tree leaves for the remainder of the day provides a perfect location.
How much should you water and how you water makes a difference.
When Plan on visiting your beautiful potted impatiens every few days to check if they need water and scout for any problems. How do you know when your plant needs water? You can use your fingers. Dip your finger into the soil approximately 1”, if the soil is dry and does not stick to your finger, add water until the first 1” is moist but not saturated with water. How often you need to check any potted plant depends on temperature, sunlight and size of the pot.
How Use a watering can and add water at the base of the plant. Avoid splashing water on the leaves and flowers. Make sure your decorative pot has good drainage or keep your plant in a plastic container inside of the decorative pot and remove to water and then return. Use this method if your plants are in wrapped in paper or foil, remove to ensure good drainage and replace afterwards.
Another watering tip, if you are using a saucer under the pots be sure to empty the saucers so the pot does not sit in water. All impatien plants are sensitive to over watering.
Note: The above watering instructions are also how we recommend watering poinsettias.
Added bonus!
These patented impatien cultivars should grow as perennials in our Zone 10 and should be able to withstand more heat and sunlight than regular impatiens. They are also more expensive so you might want to test a few to make sure you can maintain them through the year. They still need to stay on the porch. This is perhaps not a plant for beginners unless you are as bold as the colors of these cultivars!
See Impatiens on our Gardening Solutions Website
Happy Holidays and Happy Gardening!
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