Expert: C.L. Fornari - 6/21/2008

Question
I want to plant impatiens around a tree. There is shade all day in the area except during a very hot time of day--from about 5:45 pm until about 6:50 pm. I live in zone 7--Oklahoma City. Thanks in advance, Laquetta

Answer
The impatiens should work but you should dig a good amount of compost or composted manure into the area, loosening all the soil as you do so. Tree roots provide competition for flowers making it harder for them to get a good root system going, and that wide and strong root system makes a wide and strong blooming plants.  So turn the entire area up mixing in compost when you do so.  Then use a time-release fertilizer such as Osmocote Indoor Outdoor or Proven Winners time-release, and dig that in when you plant the impatiens.

Water impatiens deeply when you water - using a sprinkler for an hour or more is fine, but handwatering usually waters too shallowly so the plants will wilt every afternoon...a deep soaking makes deep root systems that can stand the heat.

I hope this helps!
C.L.