Garden balsam (Impatiens balsamina) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Garden balsam is an grown in U.S. gardens, with pink, red, purple, or white flowers close to its upright stems. Its ripe seed pods spring open when touched and scatter the seeds.

Appearance

Growth form: This frost-tender annual has thick, soft, upright stems and usually grows 6–30 in (15–75 cm) tall.
Leaves: The narrow leaves are about 3.5 in (9 cm) long, with pointed tips and sharply toothed edges.
Flowers: Cup-shaped flowers sit close to the upper stem in shades of white, pink, red, purple, or bicolor. Garden selections include single and forms.
Flowering time: It flowers through the warm growing season and is killed by frost.
Fruit: The green capsules turn yellow as they mature. A light touch can make a ripe capsule spring open and scatter its seeds.

Look-alikes

spotted jewelweedImpatiens capensis

Spotted jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) is a taller North American wildflower of wet, shady places, with hanging orange flowers marked by reddish spots. Garden balsam has flowers pressed close to its upright stem and is grown in many colors.

Why they get mixed upBoth are annual Impatiens with toothed leaves, juicy stems, and seed capsules that pop open.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: flower beds
containers
moist garden borders
Range: It is native to South Asia and is cultivated in the United States. It may reseed and become weedy where conditions suit it.
Preferred conditions: It prefers moist, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade and does not tolerate drought well.

Growing it

Propagation: Plants are grown from seed and may self-seed freely in moist garden soil.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms: Cultivated forms include single and double flowers, mixed colors, and compact plants. These are garden selections within the species rather than separate wild species.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: The names touch-me-not and snapweed refer to the fruit that bursts when ripe.
In Korea, people have traditionally crushed the flowers with other ingredients to stain their fingernails.

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