The heat has made gardening a real struggle. But every day, as I return home, I see the dazzling show my Sunpatiens provide. This is my third year to grow them and I am hooked.
SunPatiens are a New Guinea-type impatiens series. They bloom from the time they are planted in late April or May, until freezing weather.
Last year we grew all 15 selections at Mississippi State University’s Truck Crops Experiment Station. They were waist-high when the Fall Flower and Garden Fest was held in October.
SunPatiens’ planting combinations are limitless, so let your imagination run wild. In this cottage garden, colorful orange Sunpatiens are partnered with Serena white angelonias. In this tropical garden, they look right at home with bananas, cannas and lime green ornamental sweet potatoes.
At my home I have SunPatiens Vigorous Orange planted behind lime green Joseph’s coats and in combination with Blue Wave petunias spilling out of a container. I also have an old clay container with SunPatiens Spreading Salmon, Bonfire begonia, Blue Princess scaevola and goldilocks.
SunPatiens look great in the landscape, but the compact and the spreading selections open the possibilities for mono culture…one plant in a container that will look good all season long.
At my home they are planted in fertile, organic-rich soil. I spend less than five minutes each morning giving them a good soaking with a water wand, to get them ready for the 90 to 100 degree days.
The SunPatiens should fit in any style of garden you have or could ever want, and they will catch the eye of all who pass your way. I’m Norman Winter for Southern Gardening.