I saw this in March on the website 'Spruce', and wanted to share it around planting time. So here it is....why we are not seeing Impatients around anymore. Although...I saw them near London recently in a nursery. They disappeared from nurseries around 2013, if I recall correctly, which is a long time to go without a decent shade plant. Now it seems as if they might make a comeback, and not soon enough for me. It is hard to get colour in the shade, and even when one knows what does provide something other than various shades of green and white, and maybe neon yellow, they are nigh impossible to find in Ottawa.
How to use Browlilia and Torenia in different types of shade….
if you are looking for white or purple flowers for the shade, Browallia is just perfect. It seems to thrive on little care and little sunshine, adding an unexpected flush of colour either on its own in a pot, or mixed with something like soft pink tuberous Begonias. It is an upright, bushy plant with light green leaves.
Browalia with Coleus in high shade of deciduous tree. Photo: Mary Pratte
Very low light in small pathway with much overhead cover from old maples. Early planting with Coleus, Sweet Potato Vince, Asparagus and Browallia, behind and not yet in bloom. Photo: Mary Pratte
And then there is Torenia. I have only just started seeing this lovely little trailing plant in our neck of the woods. When I used to buy it many years ago in SW Ontario, white and dark purple were the only options, but now there is a whole range, even some of which are two-toned. It is very worthwhile to search these out, as they not only tolerate quite a lot of shade, but they also will take a fair amount of sun if well watered. And did I mention that they trail over the edge of a planter? A very unexpected trait to have in the shade.
Close up of white Torenia flower. Photo: Mary Pratte
Torenia in two colours growing under old spruce trees. This is an early planting…this will fill out by the time summer starts. Photo: Mary Pratte
Another combination with Torenia planted with trailing small white begonia. Also under the large spruces in our back yard. Almost zero direct light. Photo: Mary Pratte
Torenia planted with New Guinea Impatiens on east side of our house. About one hour of sun each day. Photo: Mary Pratte
Planting of Torenia, Browallia and double whit New Guinea Impatiens on north side of our house…no direct sun at all, but very bright. Photo: Mary Pratte
Let's keep our fingers crossed that Impatients will return some day, but maybe this time we should remember that monoculture is not the best thing when growing plants - they succumb to pests and diseases when so many are planted together - and that a garden with diversity is a much better place for plants and creatures anyway.