Golden Dragon Impatiens

Impatiens repens is an extremely rare plant from Sri Lanka. It is in fact considered to be extinct in the wild due to habitat destruction. The flowers look like a fiercely roaring golden dragon. The flowers are large for impatiens, and gorgeous, but the foliage is also quite pretty. The thick fleshy stems are red which contrasts beautifully with the dark green leaves.

The stems creep along the ground, branching profusely. Most people choose to grow this plant in a hanging pot, as the cascading foliage, bejeweled with large yellow flowers is quite dramatic.

Impatiens repens likes rich soil, and moisture, but is otherwise a pretty easy plant to grow. They do quite well as a houseplant if kept in a more humid part of your house. Here in Florida, thy can be grown outdoors all year, provided that they are given protection from frost.

Origin

Sri Lanka

Family

Balsaminaceae

Binomial nomenclature

Impatiens repens

Common names

Ceylon balsam, golden dragon impatiens

Description

A creeping perennial with fleshy red stems and small, dark green, spade shaped leaves that have hair like trichomes on the uper surface. The flowers are bright yellow and hooded. The growth habit is creeping or trailing and the stems will hang down several feet in a hanging pot.

Height

6′-8′ tall. The creeping stems can be three to four feet long.

Temperature/Zone

zone 9b, 32°F. This plant prefers humid conditions. Frost will burn it, but it tolerates above freezing Winter temperatures very well.

Light

Part sun to shade.

Water

Keep them evenly hydrated.

Fertilizer

They should be fed a well balanced fertilizer.

Cultivation

Impatiens repens should be grown in a high quality potting soil. When grown in the ground they will need soil amendments to thrive. This plant likes to be kept constantly moist.

Pests

Slugs will munch on the stems and particularly the flower buds.