New Guinea Impatience

(Question)

last year same variety, same spot plants grew very well this year alive but have not grown at all
maybe because of early frost 2-3 week May I cannot figure it out
thank you

(Answer)

Thank-you for contacting Toronto Master Gardeners with your question.

New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) is usually a strong growing annual – a good choice to add vibrant colour to your garden or planter. They thrive in part-shade and prefer an evenly moist well-draining soil. Since your plants did well in the same spot last year, it seems likely that your garden site is well suited to them. The following link is to some good general information about these plants and how best to grow them:

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b665

Anecdotally, I have been hearing a number of concerns about slower growth of annual bedding plants and vines this year (spring-summer 2021). Similar to your reported situation, plants are surviving but not thriving as usual. Late frost may have been the culprit, but there was also the very dry, warm weather in late spring, followed by some cooler wet weather. This may have stifled growth. As long as you ensure your plants have plenty of water, you should see them bulk up as the summer continues. When you see some growth, you can apply a mild fertilizer. Make sure that the first number on the fertilizer (the nitrogen) is lower than the others (e.g. 4-10-10) so that vegetal growth does not suppress flowering.

I hope your impatiens plants perk up soon!