This perennial is commonly grown as an annual and has upright fleshy weak branched stems that form a shrub-like habit. It has bright green elliptical leaves and the red, pink, yellow to white wheel-shaped flowers appear solitary from spring to autumn.

Hardiness zones 9 to 12

Impatiens wallerana is naturally found in tropical east Africa from Tanzania to Mozambique growing in the understorey of forests along water courses.

It prefers a well drained fertile moist slightly acid soil in a wind protected sunny position and is frost and drought tender.

Busy Lizzie is grown for its flowers and its quick growth. It is planted in small gardens along borders or mass planted as a ground cover and is and is used in tropical settings. It is also grown in pots, hanging baskets and window boxes for colour establishing in one season.ID 444

Impatiens(im-PĂT-ee-enz) wallerana(wo-la-RAH-na)

'Impatiens': impatient (refers to the rapid dispersal of seed).

Balsaminaceae (ball-SAM-in-AY-see-ee)