Impatiens omeiana
(Mount Emei Balsam)
Family - Balsaminaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - Mount Emei, China
Discovered By - J D Hooker, reintroduced by Don Jacobs
Year of Introduction - Reintroduced 1983
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H4, possibly hardier
Height - 50cm
Width - 50cm
Location - The Stumpery
Description: A clump-forming, herbaceous Perennial with a bushy, upright habit. Fleshy leaves are Elliptic to lanceolate in shape, each with scalloped to coarsely toothed margins. Each leaf has attractive greenish-white variegation along the midrib and veining, and red petioles. Bright yellow flowers are tubular in shape, each with a curved spur. The Blooms are held in clusters and produced from late summer into early autumn. Not invasive.
Impatiens omeiana was discovered by Ernest Wilson in 1908, but introduced into cultivation in 1983 by Don Jacobs an American nurseryman.
Flower:
Bright yellow, tubular flowers have delicately curved spurs. The blooms are held in clusters and produced from August into September, possibly longer.
Flower colour: Yellow
Flower shape: Tubular flowers in clusters
Flowering time: August, September
Foliage:
Fleshy, Elliptic to lanceolate leaves are dark green with attractive greenish-white variegation along the central midribs and veining. The leaves have Crenate to Dentate margins and are Alternately arranged along the stems.
Foliage Senescence: Semi-evergreen
Foliage Shape: Elliptic to lanceolate
Propagation:
Cuttings, division.
Cultivation:
Best in a sheltered position in partial shade in fertile, moisture retentive soil that is well drained.