Expert: Mike Mascio - 9/6/2003

Question
Hello,

I have planted impatiens in a shaded flower bed for 20 years changing the colors yearly.  I was away from my home for 3 weeks in July and returned to find over a dozen impatien plants from last year's colors growing over 10 feet away from the original bed. Little rain fell and no watering was done during my absence. I've never had impatiens reseed like this.  Is this possible?  They are growing beautifully now.

Thanks for your reply,
Karen


Answer
Karen, impatiens produce very small seed that are hardly visible to the human eye.  If the plants are not pruned on a regular basis to remove the faded blooms, the plant will drop seed.  These seed will go dormant over the winter and reproduce the next spring.  As long as the new blooms blend in well with the others, enjoy the many colors.  Volunteer plants often produce the most beautiful flowers of the year.

Have a great weekend.

Mike