Expert: Mike Mascio - 4/29/2007

Question
I live in Atlanta, GA. About a month ago, I planted 7 flats of white impatients in containors that are on my covered back porch. The backyard is shady in general and the covered porch is very shady. I have hanging Boston Ferns in the area as well. The impatients seem to be growing well, and are looking a little leggy to me, but there are no blooms and very few buds. What have I done wrong and what can I do? I need this to be a very "showy" area. My pansies bloomed all winter long in this area and were fantastic!

Answer
Kelley, all you need to do is cut them back by 1/3 and they will bloom abundantly. Annuals thrive when cut back. This promotes side shoots, which eventually result in additional blooms. It also results in a more stocky growing habit. I cut my annuals back every 6 weeks for this very reason.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike