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Yellow Impatiens!

© Emily Levitt

Yellow is a difficult color for those of us who are tree-challenged (shade gardeners). Golden hostas or sick leaves on other plants have been the only sources for yellow in the shadows of my garden, until now.

I heard about the on-going development of a yellow 'wallerana' cultivar at a garden symposium a couple of years ago. My initial thought was "Right. It'll cost a zillion dollars and have genes so thin that it won't live ten minutes." Then I thought,
"Martha Stewart will probably buy the patent on it."

Well, surprise, surprise. I was both right AND wrong.

RIGHT: I came across four inch pots of 'seashell' yellow impatiens at Martha's retail plant source, K-Mart. Not overpriced, either. I bought as many of them as I could find in the racks...seven little pots. Apparently, they fly out of the store. (I know the delivery days at this garden center, and I'll be back).

WRONG: Other places have them, but not often or for long. Avant Gardens has them on line. My editor here at the Suite saw some at a Home Depot in her area, so I'll be checking there too.

RIGHT: They're sterile. They are sold to commercials growers, and are not available as seed from the source.

WRONG: Genetically superior in many ways, this annual likes fertilizer and blooms like crazy. It performs beautifully.

Recent information from Cornell highlights the best aspects of this marvleous new flower:

"Seashell Impatiens can be grown similarly to regular
I. Wallerana. However, Seashells are much more responsive to fertilization. Therefore, we recommend using a liquid fertilizer (20-20-20) two weeks after placing them in the garden. Reapply fertilizer every 4 weeks to 6 weeks or when plants begin to yellow. Gardeners may also use a slow release granular fertilizer (10-10-10). Too much fertilizer will result in vegetative growth and reduced flower output by Seashell plants. Allow plants to dry slightly between watering. Seashells can be grown in partial sun to full shade. Pinching plants will increase branching, control plant height and stimulate flower production. Seashells are excellent container plants and are beautiful planted together with Scaevola, Lobelia, purple Sweet Alyssum or scarlet Nasturtiums."

Soft yellow imps would be wonderful compliments at the feet of hydrangeas, as the larger blooms change colors as they mature. My blue mopheads are currently yellow-green, with hints of coming blue in the blossoms. This is a charming new combination. I love hydrangeas, and this pairing is my absolute favorite.

These hydrangea blossoms still have pale yellow hues. Pink, deep blue and even white hydrangeas often retain yellow tones thoroughout their bloom cycle. Late in the fall, as the flowers dry on the stem, yellow can become dominant again. The yellow impatiens can carry these colors through until first frost. Autumn leaves are likely candidates for complementary color as well. Keep the 'seashells' pinched back and fed through September for a new and different show.

The copyright of the article Yellow Impatiens! in Gardening in Southern U.S. is owned by Emily Levitt. Permission to republish Yellow Impatiens! in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.