Impatiens
Impatiens wallerana
Arguably the best flower for shady areas, impatiens bloom nonstop from the time you transplant them to the garden until frost. The 6-to 30-inch tall plants cover themselves with single or double blooms in pink, red, purple, orange, salmon, and white—both solid shades and bicolors.
To start seeds indoors: Sprinkle the seeds on the surface of the premoistened starting medium, about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date. Don’t cover the seeds—they need light to germinate. Set the containers directly beneath fluorescent lights; keep the soil moist and at 70° to 80°F. Seeds should sprout in 1 to 3 weeks. Transplant the seedlings outside a week or two after the last frost date.
Photo: (cc) Chris Gladis/Flickr
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