Impatiens is just one of 500 species in the plant family Balsaminaecae, which includes the old-fashioned garden balsam and the newer hybrid New Guinea impatiens, introduced in 1989.

Also known as Busy Lizzy and Touch-me-not, the impatiens is “impatient”, as the slightest touch will cause ripe seedpods to open and scatter seeds to the wind.

Originally thought to be indigenous to Zanzibar (an African island now part of Tanzania), impatiens also was found to grow in the eastern regions of equatorial Africa.

It was introduced to the western world in 1896 by Dr. John Kirk, a renowned British physician and naturalist who accompanied Dr. Livingstone on many of his African expeditions.

Today, the impatiens is by far the top selling bedding plant in this country (petunias are second). It is available in 15 different solid colors, five colors with white star patterns, and three bicolor designs (light color on the bloom interior, darker color on the petals).

Plants can grow from six inches to two feet, depending on the spacing, moisture, available nutrients, and amount of sunlight. Flower form can be single, semidouble, or fully double blooms.

Impatiens is an easy annual to grow, provided it’s planted in a location that receives filtered or partial shade. Although today’s impatiens varieties are more sun-tolerant than older varieties, too much sun will cause impatiens to have small leaves, few blooms, and little height.