Raffael® Lilac F1

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Balsaminaceae

Order

Ericales

Genus

Impatiens

Species

wallerian

Description

An ornamental herbaceous plant with compact growth and prolonged summer flowering, it is easy to manage and often inexpensive. It is one of the most popular landscape plants in flowerbeds due to its abundant, brightly coloured flowering as well as its ability to grow in shaded areas; it is also suitable for decorating terraces or balconies in pots and tubs. The current varieties, subdivided into series, differ in height attained as well as in size and colour shade of the flowers.

Species video

https://youtu.be/sXnIZiYIdgs

Variety description

Compact and early. Suitable for fast growing in 8 and 10 cm packs and pots. Very uniform and simultaneous flowering plants.

Curiosities and special features

The generic name derives from the Latin 'impatiens' or impatient in reference to the ripe indehiscent capsules which, when touched, open throwing out the seeds contained within while the specific epithet, walleriana, is in honour of the missionary H. Waller who discovered it in the 1800s. It is commonly called 'Glass Flower' or 'Glass Plant' due to the delicacy of its stems.

The genus Impatiens belongs to the family Balsaminaceae, whose name derives from Balsamine, common epithet of the wild species Impatiens balsamina, which in turn derives from the Greek word 'bálsamon' or balsam in reference to certain aromatic substances it produces.

Origin and distribution

A species native to East Africa, particularly Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique; it is widely cultivated and commonly naturalised in Asia and tropical and subtropical Africa. It was introduced by the missionary H. Waller in 1896 in Europe where it was initially cultivated as a greenhouse plant in relation to the climatic conditions present; in recent decades, also thanks to the introduction of new varieties distinguished by type of growth, size and colour of flowers and leaves, it has been used as an ornamental species for landscape use in flowerbeds and borders.

Flower size

The flower is average compared to that of other varieties.

Leaf

Leaf has an oval lamina.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from mid-spring to early autumn for a duration of 160 to 180 days.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured Leaf, in perfect colour balance with the Flower.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.25 to 0.36 m, making it ideal for compact and colourful solutions, even in compositions with other ornamental species with different heights and colour shades of leaves and flowers.

Lifespan

Plant cultivated as an annual as it may not survive in low winter temperatures.

Where to plant

Compact, early and with a long summer flowering period, its use is recommended for ornamenting flower beds, terraces, borders, planters

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-sized form with plain petals. It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of 160 to 180 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Growth is compact and guarantees scenic, flowerbed or planter compositions.

Plant habit

The habit is typically globular, allowing the creation of homogeneous groups similar to coloured hemispherical pads.

Branching

It develops by producingabundant branching, giving the plant a well-tended appearance, rich in Leaf and flowers.

PH

It prefers a slightly acidic Soil/medium pH between a minimum of 6.2 and a maximum of 6.8.

Soil preparation

For correct preparation of the soil for transplanting, dig 20/30 cm deep, eliminating any weeds, residues of previous crops and bulky pebbles, continue by burying organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser and, if the soil is too compact, add sand. Proceed by breaking up the most compacted clods with the help of a hoe. To improve the drainage of excess water, create a raised flower bed by slightly bouldering the soil, then distribute professional-quality substrate on the surface for about 5/10 cm and carefully level it.

Sun exposure

Gives a bright and lively colour note in flowerbeds, borders, terraces and balconies, preferring positions in half shade, light shade

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature is between 10 and 32 °C. The ideal temperature is between 16 and 20 °C, making it suitable for temperate spring/summer climates.

Use

Adapting to shady areas and environments both small, where it can be the main decorative component, and larger, where it can be combined with other flowering plants, it is considered the ideal plant in
Outdoor ornamental areas Landscaping

Hardiness

It has medium rusticity and is well suited for use in both planters and flowerbeds, being able to colour the less sunny corners of your green spaces.

Soil

It offers the best vegetative growth and flowering results in light, medium-textured soils with adequate drainage and a suitable organic matter content. When used in pots and planters, a substrate for spring plants based on peat and perlite is recommended.

Difficulty

It is the optimal solution for ornamenting gardens, terraces and flowerbeds, without requiring particular effort in its maintenance, as it is easy to manage and cultivate.

Growing tips

In order for the plant to achieve optimum vegetative development and abundant flowering, it is recommended to

Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Combinations with other plants

It can be enhanced in composition with other ornamentals such as Antirrhinum majus, Begonia, Coleus blumei, Fuchsia, Helichhrysum petiolare, Euphorbia hypericifolia, Lobelia erinus, Lobularia maritima, Scaevola aemula, Senecio cineraria, Solenostemon coleoides.

Planting

For bed planting, we recommend an average density of 25 plants/square metre so that each individual specimen can grow correctly and achieve an overall well-proportioned and harmonious result. We suggest placing each seedling in a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding sinking the root ball completely, which must be well moistened; finally, water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Propagation

Multiplication is by seed or apical cutting.

Watering

Irrigation can be by means of rainwater, alternatively from aqueducts with an optimal neutral pH, either by hand or by an irrigation system. During the transplanting phase, maintain a constant humidity, avoiding excessive watering, which can cause the development of fungal diseases and consequent root rot; afterwards, allow the soil or substrate to dry out slightly between one watering and the next, thus preventing dry strokes. It is also advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant from above during the late afternoon or evening to prevent the spread of plant diseases.

Fertilising

During soil preparation, carry out background fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. During the spring-summer period, following proper post-transplant settling, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants to the medium or soil, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the appropriate doses and frequencies as indicated on the relevant information label.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

Impatiens Raffael is very hardy and adapts well even in sunny positions, if anything slightly spooning up the leaf edges during the hottest hours of the day, and then recovering in the following hours. In shadier positions, on the other hand, it grows taller and a little more slender, but manages to flower well even in very low light, albeit with fewer flowers, when other seasonal species would struggle or would not even do so.