Enter SunPatiens, an impatiens hybrid between New Guinea impatiens and wild impatiens, bred by the Japanese company Sakata and introduced to the market in 2006. They are one the few plants recognized by their brand name and not their botanical name. True to their name, SunPatiens are sun-loving plants, the first impatiens that thrive in full sun. SunPatiens have a long bloom period stretching from spring to fall until a heavy frost. The plants are typically larger, bushier, and bloom more prolifically than New Guinea impatiens, and their thick petals and leaves make them more resistant to disease and damage. Because they have such a long bloom period from spring to fall, there is no need to replant anything else for late-season bloom. Pruning or deadheading flowers is not required. While SunPatiens are a perennial botanically, they are grown as an annual in most USDA growing zones.
Light
SunPatiens do best in full sun where they produce more flowers. Partial shade with about four hours of direct sunlight does not affect their bloom, however, they do not grow well and don’t bloom in full shade.
Soil
Provide optimum growing conditions in soil that is rich in organic matter and well-aerated. Raised beds and containers work especially well.
Water
During the first two weeks after planting, water SunPatiens every day, as much as needed to keep the soil moist. After their vigorous root systems have been established, water them when the soil surface feels dry, frequency depends on the weather. On hot, windy days the soil dries out much faster than on overcast days. Container plants, especially hanging baskets, always need more frequent watering than garden plants, sometimes twice a day. For SunPatiens in garden soil, drip watering is the most efficient so the water gets directly to the base of the plants instead of only getting their foliage wet with overhead watering. Mulch around the plants to keep the soil cool and moist and suppress weeds.
Temperature and Humidity
SunPatiens do well in hot, humid weather. While you can plant them in the spring when the soil is still cool, around 55 F, the plants are very frost-tender and won’t tolerate frost.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer SunPatiens moderately, they do not need much fertilizer. Overfertilizing them can reduce their bloom and burn the leaf tips. It is recommended to mix add a slow-release fertilizer into the topmost layer of the soil before planting, using half of the strength indicated on the product label.
Types of Sunpatiens
There are two series of SunPatiens:
Compact SunPatiens have dense, bushy plants reaching a hight of 16-32 in. and a spread of 14-24 in. They are the best choice for container planting. Vigorous SunPatiens are fast-growing and best when you want to cover a lot of space as fast as possible with a massive color display. Their height ranges from 24-48 in. and they spread 24-30 in. They are better suited than the other series for heavier garden soil and resistance to nematodes.
Propagating SunPatiens
SunPatiens is a registered trademark, which means that propagation is protected. Live plant parts as well as rooted and unrooted cuttings may not be used for propagation. The trademark is also the reason why you won’t find SunPatiens seeds for sale.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
The plants are bred for downy mildew resistance and they generally don’t have serious disease problems but they can potentially get impatiens necrotic spot virus, fungal blights, powdery mildew, and rots, such as stem rot. The latter can be prevented by leaving a few inches of soil uncovered when you mulch around the plants. Poorly drained, heavy, and compacted soils can lead to Rhizoctonia fungi and Phytopthora oomycetes. Insects that can potentially harm the plant include aphids, mealybugs, thrips, spider mites, and whiteflies. They might also be eaten by slugs, and snails.
