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Re: Origins again...Thanks

On Sun, 12 Jul 1998 Tim  wrote:

>Phillips and Rix, in Perennials Volume 2, say that Impatiens tinctoria 
>comes from Central Africa in Eastern Zaire, Southern Sudan, Ethiopia and 
>Northern Uganda. It grows in damp mountain forests, shrub-filled gullies, 
>by streams and on shady banks at 750-3000m. 

This comes as no surprise it obviously hates hot sun and wilts
alarmingly if so exposed.

>In the wild it flowers in 
>January and in April to November, but they say it flowers in August to 
>October in gardens in Britain. It is hardy down to -10oC and is long-lived. 

My young plant started at the end of June, so an established one may
well commence even earlier.  The sheer abundance of flower buds leads
me to think it is going to have a very long flowering season.  I now
learn that it is supposed to be tuberous rooted as well, so I suspect
that perennation is easily accomplished with the plant dying down
during cold weather. Minus 10C is exceptionally cold and a 'once in a
life-time' phenomena where I live, so I'm now confident about its
survival.  Seed appears to be easily set and cuttings are remarkably
easy to root - as with most if not all Impatiens.

>Sounds like just the thing for my garden. I wonder if it is available in 
>New Zealand?
It's a very lovely thing, easily grown, with flowers up to nearly 3"
across and 4" long spurs.  the flower shape is very reminiscent of an
Oncidium orchid - the two main petals appearing to form a broad basal
'lip', whilst the others are diminutive creating a 'hood' over the
anthers and stamens. Evidently a moth or butterfly with an extremely
lengthy proboscis is needed to effect pollination.  

Thanks very much for all of the replies to this - I don't have
Philllips and Rix and my very ancient, sorely abused copy of the RHS
Dictionary does not include this species.  

David Poole
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