New Guinea Impatiens: Vibrant Summer Blooms for Sun and Shade

For flashy flowers and bold foliage, New Guinea impatiens are hard to beat. These summer annuals bloom in brilliant colors—hot pink, bright orange, red—and their foliage ranges from green to bronze to burgundy. Blooms can reach 3 inches across, making them eye-catching in beds and containers.

What's New

Smaller Sizes

Newer series like Celebrette, Compact Sonic, and Paradise stay 8–18 inches tall, perfect for small containers. More vigorous series (Celebration, Pure Beauty, Super Sonic) grow 18–24 inches and excel in large containers and landscapes.

Heat-Tolerant Hybrids

Two new hybrid series between New Guineas and other impatiens species handle more heat than standard types.

Sun Lovers: SunPatiens

Developed by Japanese breeders, SunPatiens thrive in full sun and heat, growing 15–20 inches tall. Varieties include 'Tropical Mango', 'Tropical Orange', 'Tropical Punch', and white 'Tropical Ice'. In Sunset tests, they bloomed prolifically over a long period.

Trailing Type: Fanfare

Fanfare is a mounding, trailing heat-resistant impatiens ideal for containers and hanging baskets. Its slightly smaller flowers blanket the plant all season in four bright colors plus blush.

Planting Combinations

New Guinea impatiens pair strikingly with coleus, heuchera, and other colorful foliage plants for part-sun locations. Try combinations like Celebrette 'Purple Improved' with Magilla 'Purple' perilla, or SunPatiens 'Tropical Ice' with Chinese taro and white bacopa.

Care Guide

• Temperature: Plant after soil warms and nights stay above 50°F. Blooming slows above 85°F; in hot inland areas, choose heat-resistant series (Celebrette, Fanfare, SunPatiens).
• Sun: Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; full sun in cool coastal areas.
• Soil: Well-drained, not too rich. Mix in organic or controlled-release fertilizer low in nitrogen.
• Water: Keep soil moist but not soggy.