Being Patient with Impatiens pays off!

Every year I have grown hanging baskets of traditional impatient on my hanging planter hooks. Image

 

This year was a pleasant surprise. Impatiens galore growing in the soil below the hanging baskets that were all volunteers. Image

 

But why?

 

Unfortunately, I did not save the tag as to the specific genus, species and cultivar, but the plants were a mixed-flat. I remember in the past, 'Super Elfin Mix’ was a variety of different colors. Image

 

Impatiens walleriana, the genus and species of common impatient varieties, can reseed.

 

I remember last year late in the season when the flowers would fade, seed pods would form and burst showering seeds on the soil below. Image

 

The flowers that appeared this year are from last year’s seed and plants. Since the baskets hung in the same place year after year, seed fell below the plants and germinated early summer to put on a delightful fall flower show in late summer into fall. Image

 

The offspring of the baskets from last year are not the same colors as the original hybrids from last year. Image

 

Nor are they dwarfs. Some are 3 feet tall. Image

 

What a surprise!

 

The baskets only contain 6 plants each. But because they face East, they are protected from the heat of the afternoon sun. Image

 

In addition, they are watered each morning before I leave for work. Image

 

Miss one day and they will wilt and turn yellow. Image

 

What a nice fall surprise! Nature continues to amaze me.