One item that is really a water feeder is the BEACON IMPATIENS. They love the shade and they like water content in the soil. What sets these plants apart is that although they are impatiens they are downy mildew resistant. Remember 10 years ago impatiens were known for downy mildew, a disease that gets into the plant and will actually make them defoliate, they then don't perform for the consumer and eventually die. Because of downy mildew, impatiens have really vacated the market over the past 10 years. But they have brought them back with new plant breeding. They’ve found varieties that are much more tolerant to impatiens downey mildew. They can get it, but will push right through and it doesn't affect the plants as it did in the past. These provide color all season long. It's been super wet in Atlanta, a ton of rain this summer with high temperatures. And if you're going to have downy mildew issues, those are the key ingredients. These impatiens have been in the ground since late April, early May and are really thriving and have continued to bloom all season. Eric thinks it's great to see impatiens finally making a comeback and that’s because of new and improved breeding. These plants have been in the breeding process process in the R and D side of Ball Horticulture for over 10 years.
By Dan Heims, President, Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Photographs courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Terra Nova’s breeders have created a series of outstanding world-class echinaceas that are consistent in size, bloom power, color intensity and are a pollinator buffet. What’s not to like.
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