Flanagan's busy lizzie

Perennial · Tuber

Impatiens flanaganiae

Flanagan's busy lizzie

Also known as: Impatiens flanaganae (misspelling), Impatiens flanaganii (misspelling)

A tuberous South African balsam with lush leaves and sprays of rich pink, spurred flowers in late summer and autumn.

  • Full shade, Partial shade
  • 0.6–1.2 m (2–4 ft)
  • 40–60 cm (16–24 in)
  • H3 · Zone 9
  • August–October
  • Deciduous

Overview

Unlike bedding busy lizzies, this rare species from the forests of the Eastern Cape grows from a tuber that sits dormant through winter. In summer it sends up fleshy stems with large, glossy green leaves, followed from late summer into autumn by clusters of pink to deep rose, spurred flowers. It is threatened in the wild. In the UK and similar climates it is best treated as borderline hardy: tubers often survive light frosts in a sheltered, shady spot with good drainage and a thick mulch, but lift a tuber or keep a pot frost-free in colder areas. Note the correct spelling is flanaganiae; it is often sold as 'flanaganae'.

At a Glance

Sun Full shade, Partial shade
Height 0.6–1.2 m (2–4 ft)
Spread 40–60 cm (16–24 in)
Hardiness H3 · Zone 9
Flowers August–October
Soil Clay, Loam
Moisture Moist well drained
Habit Clump forming, Upright
Water High
Maintenance Moderate

Growing Conditions

Min. Temperature -5°C (23°F)
pH Range 5.5–7
Fertility Fertile
Drainage Free Draining

Aspect Suitability

  • North-facing
  • East-facing
  • West-facing

Soil Tolerance

  • Clay
  • Loam
  • Acid
  • Neutral pH

Foliage

Impatiens flanaganiae (Flanagan's busy lizzie) foliage
Impatiens flanaganiae (Flanagan's busy lizzie) foliage
Persistence Deciduous
Colour Green
Leaf shape / texture ovate_serrate
  • Architectural foliage

Foliage interest: May–October

Seasonal Timeline

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowering
Foliage
Propagate
  • Flowering Aug Sep Oct
  • Foliage May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
  • Propagate Apr Jun

Maintenance Calendar

  • May Guard emerging shoots against slugs, as the soft fleshy stems are a favourite food
  • Jun Take a few softwood cuttings to keep under cover, as a back-up if the tuber is lost in winter
  • Jul Keep the soil moist in summer, because impatiens wilt quickly and drop flower buds when dry
  • Nov Once frost kills the stems, clear them away and mulch thickly over the tuber, or lift it and store in barely damp compost

Garden Design

Works well in: Tropical / Exotic, Woodland / Shade

Brings late colour to a shady, sheltered border or woodland edge when most shade plants have finished.

Companion planting: Ferns, Hostas, Hardy begonias, Hedychiums

Wildlife Value

  • Bees
  • Other pollinators

Safety

  • Toxic to humans
  • Skin irritant

RHS notes it may cause mild stomach upset if eaten and its sap may irritate skin.