Busy Lizzie
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Busy Lizzy
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ericales Family: Balsaminaceae Genus: Impatiens Species: I. wallerana
Binomial name
Impatiens wallerana Hook.f.

Impatiens wallerana

Impatiens wallerana Hook.f. (syn. Impatiens sultanii Hook.f.) also known as Busy Lizzy, Balsam or simply Impatiens, is native to eastern Africa from Kenya to Mozambique. It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 15-60 cm tall, with broad lanceolate leaves 3-12 cm long and 2-5 cm broad. Leaves are mostly alternate, although they may be opposite near the top of the plant. The flowers are profusely borne, 2-5 cm diameter, with five petals and a 1 cm spur. The seedpod explodes when ripe in the same manner as other Impatiens species, an evolutionary adaptation for seed dispersal.

Cultivation

It is commonly cultivated as a garden flower, where, although perennial in frost-free growing conditions, it is often treated as an annual, discarded at the end of the year. Propagation is by seed or stem cuttings. The numerous garden cultivars, selected for varying flower colours, include:

• 'Accent Stars'
• 'Confection'
• 'Blackberry Ice'
• 'Eclipse'
• 'Elfin White'
• 'Extra Dwarf'
• 'Lipstick'
• 'Red Star'
• 'Super Elfin'
• 'Tempo Series'
• 'Wink and Blink'

'Super Elfin' is the dominantly available commercial cultivar group. This group of impatiens was bred by Claude Hope in Costa Rica. Mr. Hope developed this species from its native wild form into one of the most popular bedding plants in the world.¹

References

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Impatiens walleriana

1. ^ Pink, A. (2004). Gardening for the Million. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.