Impatiens Niamniamensis Summer Flower Comes From Tropical East Africa
Impatiens niamniamensis has succulent stems which may grow up to 39 in long. Branching off them are not only the oblong leaves, but also thin stalks bearing pendulous flowers at their tips - like parrots on perches. The greenish to whitish petals are quite inconspicuous. Their task is taken over by the enlarged sepal, which forms a kind of horn and ends in a reflexed spur. This is either red, rose-red, or red and yellow. The final color combination is apparently the most popular one, and has led to cultivars being named Impatiens niamniamensis ‘Arared’ and Impatiens niamniamensis ‘Congo Cockatoo.’
Impatiens niamniamensis comes from tropical East Africa and likes a very warm position out of the wind and sheltered from fierce midday sun. It is often marketed as a container or indoor plant, but may be put out-of-doors from mid-June. Basically, it is a perennial that is actually marketed as an annual and it soon dies if left out-of-doors in the autumn. It is possible, however, to overwinter the plant in your living-room.
