If you have ever used Impatiens as a colorful bordering plant in your gardens, be sure to stay away from using them for the next 2 years.
A serious disease, impatiens powdery mildew, is affecting the plants and causing wide-spread garden disasters.
I usually plant between 100 – 125 plants every year in my gardens, but noticed last year that the plants would suddenly sprout up, get spindly, and die.
A call to a local nursery, Battaglia’s, informed me about this disease. No fungicide works and there is no cure. Recommendation is to not plant impatiens for about 2 more seasons. Anything else is fine.
New Guinea impatiens are resistant to the disease. Also point this disease out to any nursery, garden center or big-box store who continues to sell impatiens this year. They’re being totally irresponsible. I just did today at my local big box.
– Jim B.
