Pack a Big Punch
IMPATIENS
Pack a BIG Punch with these petit plants! Impatiens are bright and cheery annuals that light up any shady part of your yard, providing a blast of color until frost! Impatiens grow more colorfully than a painter’s palette, ranging in hues from white, pink, salmon, red and even a few bicolors! Extremely versatile, these beauties incorporate season-long interest in the garden, or in window boxes and hanging baskets. They are ideal in planters paired with other annuals such dusty miller, shrimp plant or ferns. Impatiens can also be used to edge shrub borders, walks and patios. Plant in any shady spot that gets half a day or less of full sun – preferably morning sun. Impatiens are now blooming in all stores starting at 99¢.
If you love Impatiens, but you need something for a sunny spot… try Vinca. Vinca looks almost identical to Impatiens, but these blooms can tolerate full sun. Vinca, also known as periwinkle, is a favorite among Hampton Roads gardeners because it can tolerate our hot summers! Available in a variety of colors including purple, red, pink, white, and orange that accent the glossy, green oval leaves. Vinca is ideal as a bedding plant, in pots, and hanging baskets. It tolerates full sun and heat very well, but will grow with a fair amount of shade too. These, like Impatiens, will also stick around until frost sets in. Mix with coleus, geraniums or even edibles for a creative combination. Plant in a full sun to part shade spot that gets at least three hours of full sun. They do like it a bit warmer, so look for these blooms to hit stores in the next couple weeks.
