MUST get some of these for our very shady garden. Know of any other flowering plants with similar characteristics?

Hi Stuart,
Could you tell more about your climate, please? I'm still trying to figure out what it's like where you live. Some of the plants you write about are in my garden, too, and others are only found as cut flowers here.

I've been browsing your posts, and it appears that your part of Australia doesn't get frosts, so instead of treating Impatiens like annuals, you use them as perennials. But you also say that Crepe myrtles and birches lose their leaves, so it also sounds like there is a winter dormant season. Can you give me an idea of how hot or cold it gets there, and what kind of rainfall you expect?

Thank you,

Annie

The climate of Busselton could be pigeon-holed as 'Mediterranean'. We have very defined seasons which start and finish on time. As you stated we don't get frosts and this is manily due to our proximity to the ocean - our house is less than 1km away from the beach. Our summers are usually dry and mild and the average temperatures range from 28C (87F) to 33C (90F) although it does sometimes climb to the high 30's (over the 100F mark).

Our winters are usually categorised by temperatures in the range of 3C (37F) to 15C (59F) and Busselton's average annual rainfall is 864mm (34in) which we mainly receive from May through September.

The soil is basically sand and so it takes a lot of organic matter to build it up in order for anything to grow and it leeches out the nutrients almost as fast as you can apply them.

Having said all this, we are currently experiencing the dryest and coldest winter on record since the late 19th century. I even went and played tennis with a friend yesterday as there was not a cloud in the sky - something that is unheard of normally for this time of year.

Thank you so much for the detailed answer. From your posts it sounds like a pretty cool place to live.

You are having an unusual weather pattern! Until the rain resumes, good luck with your tennis.

Annie

I love impatiens! We get frost here, but they re-seed and come back every year. I took some cuttings inside last year and kept some in the garage and some survived.

Hi,

I have just planted impatience this year and now I have noticed alot of others,(ie.apartment complexes and government buildings) have gardeners planting in the spring and remvoving in October and then come back to re plant in the spring. I am getting mixed messages as others have told me just to cut the tops down to the soil and they will regrow in the spring on there own...I also have easter bonnet and some chickadee cabbage things. Could you please tell me what can with stand the minus 10 or more temps in Nova Scotia's harsh winters other than tulips or daffodils. Any tips you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Beginner C

Every year for the last ten years I have grown masses of Impatiens in hanging baskets and pots. Last year all of them died within a 2 week period, and I was told by a number of nursery people that it was due to the cold, and that the whole of Western Australia was affected. When new seedling were finally available I planted another huge batch. All went well until ten days ago when they all began to die off again? Can any impatiens- lover explain this?

Peter