9 Mildew-Free Impatiens Varieties to Try

Written by
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie has written about gardening and special occasion flowers since 2011. She has years of experience in caring for flowers and plants.
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Jamie McIntosh
Updated 11/23/20

Once upon a time, impatiens were the go-to flower for shade gardens. And then, the downy mildew epidemic changed the way we garden. Beginning in 2011, this fungal disease wiped out the seed-producing stock of commercial growers and caused the common impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) plant to vanish from garden centers.

While there are lovely replacements for your shade garden, including fuchsias, begonias, and coleus, you shouldn't give up on the possibility of growing impatiens in your garden. Horticulturists are always developing new impatiens varieties, including some that are highly resistant to the fungal disease. Imapatiens walleriana continue to be the subset of impatiens that are affected by downy mildew but gardeners can circumvent the disease by planting improved New Guinea impatiens varieties. The lasted New Guinea impatiens are bred to exhibit increased blooming and a more compact habit than before.

Here are nine vigorous varieties will thrive in your borders, window boxes, and hanging baskets this season. 

Gardening Tip

New Guinea impatiens are a division that was derived by crossing several closely related species, including Impatiens hawkeri , I. platypetala, I. aurantiaca, and I. flaccida. Some horticulturists now place the entire group under the I. hawkeri species designation. In nurseries, you may see these plants labeled as Impatiens x, Impatiens haweri, or simply New Guinea Impatiens.

  • 01 of 09

    'Bounce Violet' (Impatiens x 'Bounce Violet')

    Bounce Violet Impatiens
    National Garden Bureau

    Ball Horticultural Company, the same breeders and distributors that gave us the Wave petunia family, introduced this vigorous hybrid impatiens variety that thrives in both sun and shade. The genetics of the Bounce series is a little more diverse than most New Guinea impatiens; it includes parent species from India as well as I. hawkeri, from New Guinea. As a result, these plants bear a closer resemblance to the familiar garden impatiens, I. walleriana, which is native to eastern Africa.

    The Bounce series is immune to downy mildew and is named for its ability to "bounce" back after wilting in hot weather. 'Bounce Violet' is the purple-flowering variety of the series.

    Native Area: Nursery hybrids; parent species are native to India, and the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

    USDA Hardiness Zones: Hardy in zones 10–11; grown as annuals elsewhere

    Height: 15–21 inches

    Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade

  • 02 of 09

    'Bounce Pink Flame' (Impatiens x 'Balboufink')

    Balboufink Impatiens
    National Garden Bureau

    Ideal for containers, hanging baskets, and a border edge, 'Balboufink' was named a 2015 All-America Selections winner, meaning this variety exhibits superior disease resistance, a long bloom time, and novel colors. The profuse flowers are over an inch in size and will attract butterflies to your garden. Look for three additional color choices in the Bounce series, including white, cherry, and bright coral. 

    Native Area: Nursery hybrids; parent species are native to India, and the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

    USDA Hardiness Zones: Hardy in zones 10–11; grown as annuals elsewhere

    Height: 15–21 inches

    Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade

  • 03 of 09

    Divine Mix (Impatiens hawkeri DIVINE MIX Group)

    Divine Mix Impatiens
    National Garden Bureau

    This variety of New Guinea impatiens produces 2-inch flowers on well-branched plants throughout the summer in shade gardens. Plants are low maintenance and require no deadheading to stay in bloom throughout the season. Unlike some new varieties that are vegetatively propagated, Divine Mix is available in seed, making it an economical option for gardeners with large landscapes to fill.

    Native Area: Nursery hybrids; parent species are native to the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

    USDA Hardiness Zones: Hardy in zones 10–11; grown as annuals elsewhere

    Height: 10–14 inches

    Sun Exposure: Part shade

  • 04 of 09

    SunPatiens 'Spreading Shell Pink' (Impatiens hawkeri SUNPATIENS SERIES 'Spreading Shell Pink')

    Sunpatiens Spreading Shell Pink
    National Garden Bureau

    'Spreading Shell Pink' falls into a class of New Guinea impatiens hybrids known as the SUNPATIENS series, developed by the Sakata seed company of Japan. It is a cross between I. hawkeri and various other wild impatiens species. There are Compact, Spreading, and Vigorous lines all sold under the SunPatiens series name.

    What is it about this new SunPatiens introduction that got the attention and recognition of All-America Selections judges? The plant shrugs off the summer heat, rain, and wind, producing soft salmon-pink flowers from early spring until frost. Flowers may reach 3 inches in size, attracting hummingbirds with nectar-rich flowers. Plants require minimal fertilizing. 

    Native Area: Nursery hybrids; parent species are native to the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

    USDA Hardiness Zones: Hardy in zones 10–12; grown as annuals elsewhere

    Height: 18 to 48 inches

    Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.
  • 05 of 09

    SunPatiens 'Compact Pink' (Impatiens hawkeri SUNPATIENS SERIES 'Compact Pink')

    Sunpatiens Compact Pink Impatiens
    National Garden Bureau

    In sun or shade, compact SunPatiens faithfully produce pink flowers all season, through periods of heat and drought. This versatile plant seems to know how you want it to grow, topping out at around 18 inches in containers and exceeding three feet in the garden. Try SunPatiens as a houseplant on a sunny window sill when frost approaches.

    Native Area: Nursery hybrids; parent species are native to the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

    USDA Hardiness Zones: Hardy in zones 10–11; grown as annuals elsewhere

    Height: 1–3 feet

    Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade 

  • 06 of 09

    SunPatiens 'Compact Royal Magenta' (Impatiens hawkeri SUNPATIENS SERIES 'Compact Royal Magenta')

    Sunpatiens Compact Royal Magenta Impatiens
    National Garden Bureau

    The scarlet blooms of this SunPatiens variety are unaffected by downy mildew, giving you three seasons of vibrant blooms in full sun or dappled shade. For best results, plant in well-draining soil, and fertilize lightly to avoid lanky plants. Expect the dramatic flowers to arouse the curiosity of hummingbirds. 

    Native Area: Nursery hybrids; parent species are native to the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

    USDA Hardiness Zones: Hardy in zones 10–11; grown as annuals elsewhere

    Height: 1–3 feet

    Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

  • 07 of 09

    'Florific Sweet Orange' (Impatiens hawkeri 'Florific Sweet Orange')

    Florific Sweet Orange Impatiens
    National Garden Bureau

    Wherever you decide to place the compact, mounding plants of 'Florific Sweet Orange 'impatiens in the garden, their bi-colored orange blooms will stand out. Fertilize and deadhead these flowers monthly to ensure repeat blooming from late spring until frost. The hue and form of the blossoms appeal to all pollinators, from bees and butterflies to hummingbirds. 

    Native Area: Nursery hybrids; parent species are native to the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

    USDA Hardiness Zones: Hardy in zones 10–12; grown as annuals elsewhere

    Height: 10 inches

    Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade

  • 08 of 09

    'Infinity Orange' (Impatiens hawkeri 'Infinity Orange')

    Infinity Orange New Guinea Impatiens
     Forest and Kim Starr/flickr/CC-BY-2.0

    Zesty orange hues bring sunshine to the summer garden, and pair well with hot red flowers or as a contrast to purple and blue blooms.' Infinity Orange' is a Proven Winners introduction, and although you might consider it a goof-proof plant, be aware that it is a thirsty plant. New Guinea impatiens need a daily water check on dry days in the summer, especially if they're growing in pots. It's a small price to pay for disease-free blooms that endure until the first frost. 

    Native Area: Nursery hybrids; parent species are native to the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

    USDA Hardiness Zones: Hardy in zones 10–11; grown as annuals elsewhere

    Height: 10–14 inches

    Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade; tolerates full sun if watered frequently

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.
  • 09 of 09

    'Florific White' (Impatiens

    Florific White New Guinea Impatiens
     claudiodivizia/Getty Images

    What flower garden doesn't benefit from a soothing white counterpoint to provide balance in the landscape? 'Florific White' New Guinea impatiens are available as seed, so you can fill up your moon garden with mildew-free impatiens. Sow seeds early indoors, about four months before your last frost, to enjoy the longest bloom time. This is a low-growing variety that makes for a good edging or bedding plant.  

    Native Area: Nursery hybrids; parent species are native to the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands

    USDA Hardiness Zones: Hardy in zones 10–11; grown as annuals elsewhere

    Height: 10–14 inches

    Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade