Busy Lizzies perhaps more correctly known as impatiens, are a type of plant with a flower, which can look bright and bold and make any garden cheerful and welcoming.
Types of Busy Lizzie (Impatiens)
There are two main types of busy Lizzy. These are impatiens walleriana (the most common ‘classic’ busy Lizzie) and impatiens hawkeri (a buzzy Lizzie with more vibrant colors, both in terms of the foliage and the flowers). Classic busy Lizzies (impatiens walleriana) tend to be smaller than impatiens hawkeri.
Height and Spread of Busy Lizzies
Impatiens walleriana tend to grow to approximately 1 foot (30cm), whereas impatiens hawkeri can reach almost 2 feet in height (50-60cm).
Busy Lizzies tend to have a spread of 1 to 2 feet (30-60cm). Classic busy Lizzies (impatiens walleriana) tend to have slightly less spread than impatiens hawkeri.
Flowering
Busy Lizzies usually flower during the summer months, often from late May. Flowers last until the weather becomes cooler, often into late September, and sometimes beyond.
Planting and Maintenance
Busy Lizzies do not require much maintenance and do not need fertilizer unless the soil is particularly low in nutrients, sandy, or generally poor quality. They need some sunlight, often preferring brighter areas. They can be grown in partial shade, but avoid planting in completely shaded areas.
When potting or planting Busy Lizzies, it is best to use a multiple-purpose compost. Avoid using just topsoil or other soils from the garden. This will help the plant take root, have more nutrients, and prevent transfer of any mold or other diseases from other parts of the garden. Busy Lizzies can be prone to mold, but this can be dealt with by removing affected foliage, ensuring that the plant is not overwatered or in waterlogged soil, and keeping the plant in adequate amounts of sunlight.
The Beauty of Busy Lizzies
The captivating beauty of impatiens (Busy Lizzies) is an enduring sight in many gardens, parks, and houses worldwide. Renowned for their vibrant colors and distinctive floral patterns, impatiens infuse vibrant life into any space they inhabit, beckoning admirers to take a closer look. But what exactly gives the Busy Lizzies their charm? A deep dive into the flowers and leaf shapes, color, and size reveals a fascinating spectacle.
At first glance, impatiens’ flowers may seem relatively simple. They usually consist of five petals, one of which forms a unique backward-facing spur, which creates a silhouette that is somewhat reminiscent of the orchid family. However, a Busy Lizzie’s true magic lies in its color, size, and spread, which is sometimes referred to as being in a ‘busy’ manner. Ranging in size from 1 to 2 inches (2-5cm), they provide a magnificent spectacle of color, coming in a palette as diverse as deep orange, bright pink, vibrant red, pure white, and everything in between. There are even bicolored varieties, presenting an exciting two-tone spectacle. Some varieties, like the ‘Fiesta Ole Starburst’, captivate with their star-shaped centers, while others like the ‘Sunpatiens Compact Blush Pink’ draw eyes with their soft pink tones.
The Busy Lizzies’ color diversity is stunning. Red impatiens radiate fiery energy, white ones exude purity, and the pink flowers embody the quintessence of delicate charm. Some even change color as they mature, providing an ever-changing spectacle throughout their blooming season. It is this intense vibrancy and variety that have endeared the Busy Lizzies to gardeners, making them a popular choice for adding color to gardens.
Complementing the flowers’ vibrancy, the leaves of Impatiens have an understated elegance of their own. Most commonly, they are elliptic to ovate, meaning they range from an oval shape to a more elongated, almost teardrop-like form. These leaves often feature serrated or slightly scalloped edges, giving them an added layer of textural interest. They typically grow from 1 to 3 inches (2.5-7.5cm) in length and, while mostly green, can range from a soft lime hue to a deep, lush emerald, depending on the variety. Some types, like the ‘Tropical Rose’, even boast leaves variegated with creamy yellow or white, adding another dimension to their charm.
However, the remarkable traits of Impatiens extend beyond their visual appeal. Named ‘Busy Lizzies’ for their prolific blooming habits, they’re as hardworking as they are attractive. From early summer until the first frost, these flowers work tirelessly to produce a continuous display of color, making them a staple in gardens that require long-lasting, season-long interest.
While Impatiens are relatively small in size, they display vibrant color and have a presence in your garden. This attribute, coupled with their adaptability to grow well in both sun and partial shade (somewhat depending on the variety), makes them a versatile and attractive choice for your garden.
Summary
The allure of impatiens, the stunning Busy Lizzies, is without question. They are a lovely addition to your garden. Busy Lizzies have a diverse and vibrant flower, distinctive leaf shapes, and diligent blooming habits. Whether planted in beds, borders, or containers, they are sure to catch your eye and capture your heart, making them a perennial favorite among gardening enthusiasts. So, the next time you take a leisurely stroll in a garden adorned with Busy Lizzies, take a moment to appreciate the unique aesthetics and diligent efforts of these charming plants.
Thank you for visiting AboutPlants.com. Please bookmark this site if you have found it helpful. If you have any comments or ways that we can improve About Plants, please contact us. We are very much a work-in-progress project at this stage, and more plant articles and educational insights are to follow. However, we hope that you have found the information already available to be helpful.