A vibrant carpet of fragile pink flowers, ranging from pale fairy floss to rich raspberry, invites me to enter. It hugs the gravel pathway on the eastern side of my house.

Strolling down the path, I find a new surprise each day. A seed pod that burst open has cast its seeds far and wide. Among the gravel, on the edge of the lawn, and in the cracks of the pavers, new plants are emerging, like secrets being revealed.

So is the brilliance of Impatiens, also known as Busy Lizzie. From the Latin, Impatiens has another common name – ‘Touch-me-not’ – which refers to the sudden bursting of the ripe seed pods when touched. With succulent soft stems (herbaceous) this plant can be very fragile, like the threads of a spider web. At the same time though, as long as it doesn’t have wet feet or is inundated by harsh afternoon sun, Impatiens is easy to grow. As a bonus, there is no deadheading necessary. I planted a couple of punnets of seedlings a few years ago and they just keep on keeping on, flowering all year round. Most of my Impatiens enjoy morning sun, light watering and plenty of organic mulch. If they do get leggy and die back, a trim is all that’s needed to revive them. Impatiens can also grow in shade, but they will be taller with less flowers.

Attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, Impatiens is an asset to a garden. It is a very versatile plant, suitable for garden beds, hanging baskets, and pots. Pet safety is another bonus.

Impatiens is an attractive plant, creating a beautiful understory in my garden.