I was told that impatiens are the best flowers to use in areas that don't get alot of sun. I bout some red and orange ones today and I can't wait to get started planting them! This is the first time attempting a garden and wondered how often I should be watering them and if there is anything else I should be doing. I will be doing really good if I can actually keep these alive! I haven't had alot of luck with indoor plants in the past!
Thanks!
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They will spread, so don't plant to many, 6-8 I would say, depends also on the size of the basket you'll get. It takes a while until they fill in, the ones I have outside, I mixed with lobelia but I must say, I liked it better last year when I used impatiens only.
BC
Thank you so much for sharing your pics. They have given me some great ideas. Love the half basket too! My fav is the first pic of the impatients in the hanging basket. It's going to look so beautiful. About how many impatien plants would you say it took to fill that basket?
Sorry for the bad quality, you see our basket on the fence, we gave a matching one to the neighbours on the other side. I'll post more pics during the summer.
This what I was refering to as a halfbasket, we have one on the fence now and I'll show a pic after
Here they used Hosta, Ivy, Pink Pewter and Dicentra
Yes, there are various options for lining, some use recycled materials, just line the container and put potting soil in it. We always use the moss, so we can easily push the plants through from the side,with burlap or other material its not really possible. I still have problems with the camera, so I sent a pic from an impatiens basket from last year, it's the one in the middle. I also post 2 pics from my book, one shows options for shade and the other one shows a halfbasket. I think that would look good on your fence and you could use up the leftover impatiens.
BC
I love that idea for the baskets. They sound beautiful. I have seen baskets in the stores that look like they have burlap or something inside them? Would these work? Could I just add some soil and then plant my flowers? Love the idea of hanging them from my fence too. Can't wait to see your pics for ideas. I have seen some pics of your garden and it is truly beautiful.
Thanks for your help Lisi.
I seem to have a little problem with my camera this morning, so I'll try to get an outside pic later but meanwhile you could look at instructions how we make moss baskets. It's on this forum page 2 , the title is: mossbasket help for Suzie. DH and I always go moss picking in the spring and then make our baskets. Can you get some moss where you live? You also would have to get a wire cage, an other option would also be to get a halfbasket, you then could attach that to your fence. I'll send pic from that too as soon as my camera cooperates.
BC
I'm looking forward to seeing pics of your hanging plants. I would like to do some and it would help to see how you have done yours.
Figures it's going to rain again today! Someone up there doesn't want me to have a garden anytime soon! hehe
I have some impatiens hangers outside mixed with lobelia. I'll take a pic tomorrow for you (the batteries need charging). You got many good suggestions for shade annuals, I could maybe add heliotrope and nicotiana. Are you thinking of getting some hostas and ferns too? An other plant that doesn't need sun is vinca but it's a perennial, it has nice blue flowers. I know plants are expensive it adds up so fast. I'm so lucky DH is always taking clipping in the fall. Good luck with your garden.
BC
I was thinking of you today...I was hoping you would check the gardening forum to see that I have actually started my garden. So far I have turned the dirt using the claw tool. Still need to break up more of the dirt and pull out some more weeds but I'm almost ready to plant! I'll check out those other flowers you suggested too. I got a cute little white bench from Home Depot too...it's plastic but still nice.
I will definitely takes pics when I'm done!
Thanks!
I am so happy to see that you are going to try gardening. I hope you enjoy it!
Some other shade tolerant annuals that I can think of are wax begonia, coleus(colourful foliage), torenia, lobelia, and browallia "Blue bells".
You will have to take some pics when you get it all planted!!:D
I'll probably do that. I was thinking a couple of pots and maybe a couple of hanging planters. Only thing is I would like to add something else besides all impatiens. Can you recommend another couple of shade friendly annuals that are inexpensive? I don't want to invest too much more in the garden...I'm only renting and who knows if I will be successful at this gardening stuff!
Thanks :)
Don't take them back. Look around your home for some interesting containers and plant them in there. O buy a few inexpensive terra cotta pots, and place them around your propery or group them together.
I have a total of about 3 flats of impatiens and not quite a flat of greenery. I didn't realize that they grow so much and that you had to leave so much space in between. I wonder if Home Depot will take some back? I'm a little disappointed in their quality as well. From now on I'll go straight to the nursery to buy my flowers.
Thanks for the infomation shazti...I'm going to start planting tonight!
also...the denser u plant them...the taller they will grow...if u want them to spread out....dont plant them tooooo close together...
They are already not looking all that great...although I have yet to plant them. It's raining here today so they will have to wait another day. I bought some at Home Depot and my SIL brought me some from the nursery today and what a difference in quality. The ones my SIL brought be are gorgeous and fresh and make my Home Depot ones look old and wilty. I'm glad to hear that they'll bounce back though!
Thanks Constance!
Hi DecorGirl,
I love Inpatiens because even when they get wilty they bounce back with watering time and time again. I have had Impatiens on the brink of death many a time (I am really bad with watering) and they always forgive me! :)
do not water any plants in the heat, water well first few days and then water with fertilizer. Depending on how hot it gets will determine when they need water....you will see the leaves look wilty.
for the detailed and useful information...I needed it! But how frequently should I be watering them? Everyday? I will be sure and get the fertalizer that you suggested as well.
Thanks again!
Impatients are for shade altho there are some sun varietes out now.
Dig up the soil and break up any large hunks, make sure about 6"-8" deep soil has no rocks etc. Make holes about 6" apart where you want to plant them. Take 1 plant from container and get all the earth, but loosen bottom with your fingers a bit to loosen roots. Put about 1" water in hole and plant the impatient. Then cover in with rest of earth making sure the soil level is same height as it was in the container you bought them in.
After a week or so fertilize with 20-20-20 or I prefer 10-52-10 water soluable fertilizer. Follow directions on package and water. I use this about every 2-3 weeks on mine and I have many flowers.