Impatiens Report 2018

Impatiens blight's a concern in 2018

Can I plant impatiens this year?
Impatiens were once the gold (or pink, or red, or lavender) standard for colorful annuals for shady locations.  Their prolific blooming capacity and mounding capabilities made them the top low-maintenance choice.

It appears the impatiens blight has still not run its course.

Early sightings in the greenhouse were not encouraging.  Sickly stems in May can't be revived by tender care.



Still optimistic, 2017 gardeners planted impatiens hoping for the best.  Dry conditions may have postponed the inevitable decay to late summer when busy lizzies typically peak.

Blight took over by August.

In 2018 the prognosis sadly remains the same. 

Plant at one's own peril.  The only known danger imposed by the continued introduction of these diseased plants is prolonging the mildew--as spores can overwinter in the soil.

Long term effects are not yet apparent.



Downy mildew or impatiens blight has now infiltrated the garden for nearly five years.  Hopeful gardeners continue to plant flats of these lovelies only to find sickly stems at a later time, dependent

upon unpredictable moisture conditions.

Early in the infestation, responsible greenhouses and flower peddlers refused to stock and sell impatiens, but customer demand prevailed, Thus, in recent years availablity has increased, but so has the blight.

Consider healthy alternatives such as begonia, coleus and minimulus. 

ALTERNATIVES TO IMPATIENS:

BYE BYE BIZZY LIZZIES ~ WHAT TO PLANT INSTEAD OF IMPATIENS?

BEGONIA ARE THE NEW IMPATIENS

LOSING IMPATIENS IN 2017