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Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
0.8m
Max spread
Max spread
1 year
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Impatiens capensis
Other names
Jewelweed, Orange balsam, Spotted touch-me-not
Genus
Impatiens Impatiens
Species
I. capensis - I. capensis is a vigorous, upright annual with oval, coarsely-toothed, blue-green leaves and, in summer, spurred, tubular, orange to yellow-orange flowers with reddish-brown spots.
Impatiens capensis is: Evergreen
Habit
Upright
Flower
Orange, Yellow-orange in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in Spring; Blue-green in Summer; Blue-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove at the end of the growing season.
Propagation
Seed capsules explode at a touch when ripe, dispersing seeds in all directions.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.8m after 1 year.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Waterside, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in wet to moist but well-drained soil in partial or full shade. May spread aggressively in ideal growing conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Impatiens capensis
Other names
Jewelweed, Orange balsam, Spotted touch-me-not
Genus
Impatiens Impatiens
Species
I. capensis - I. capensis is a vigorous, upright annual with oval, coarsely-toothed, blue-green leaves and, in summer, spurred, tubular, orange to yellow-orange flowers with reddish-brown spots.
Native to
North America
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Upright
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Colour
Flower
Orange, Yellow-orange in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in Spring; Blue-green in Summer; Blue-green in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Remove at the end of the growing season.
Propagation
Seed capsules explode at a touch when ripe, dispersing seeds in all directions.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 0.8m after 1 year.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Waterside, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in wet to moist but well-drained soil in partial or full shade. May spread aggressively in ideal growing conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3, Zone 2
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed)
Common pest name
Necrotic spot
Scientific pest name
Impatiens necrotic spot virus
Type
Virus or Viroid
Current status in UK
Present (Widespread)
Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Pest of mainly ornamentals and vegetables; present in the UK; and covered by the EU listing of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus. To be kept under consideration in light of a review of the EU listing.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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