Balsam Camellia Mixed ( Impatiens balsamina ) are an annual flowering plant with beautifully coloured double flowers. This variety are easy to grow and will do so well in both sun and shade which; makes them a great choice for any garden. They are popular as border plants, in cottage gardens and are suitable for pots. Their pollen and nectar is also very attractive to pollinators, especially bees.
The Balsam Camellia Mixed are an old heirloom variety from the 1800’s and are native to parts Asia. Seed to bloom time is reasonably short and they are prolific in their flowering, which is continuous until the colder weather and frosts return. This is a mixed colour listing, each packet contains seeds with Violet, White, Pink, Salmon & Scarlet flowers.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Growth
Balsam Camellia Mixed is a summer flowering plant that reaches heights of around 40-50 cm, with a spread of 30-40 cm. The gorgeous Camellia-like double flowers develop along the stems of the plant, are very showy and average in diameter of approximately 3-5 cm. Leaves are green, lanceolate in shape and have serrated edges.
This species being a native to tropical zones, copes with heat and humidity very well and are also reasonably drought tolerant. They do not tolerate frost and will die of as frosts approach. however will bloom continuously through Summer and into Autumn in cooler climates. To get a longer blooming time, plants can be started indoors in cooler climates 6-8 weeks before the lasts frost are estimated.
Balsam Camellia will reseed if allowed and grow back the following season, remove seed pods prior to them becoming ripe if this is not wanted.
FAMILY:
Balsaminaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold – Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
5°C to 35°C / 41 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Moist, fertile well draining soils.
LOCATION:
Part Shade. Will tolerate both full sun and full shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 50 cm (20 inches)
WIDTH:
Up to 40 cm (16 inches)
pH:
6.0-6.8
GROWTH TYPE:
Annual
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by bees and other insects. Bisexual flower.
MATURITY:
60-70 days
GERMINATION RATES:
78-92%
GERMINATION TIME:
10-14 days
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 100
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge). 2 years
FACTS ABOUT IMPATIENS BALSAMINA (Balsam Camellia Mixed)
The seed of this species are hard to collect as once they are ripe, they explode dispersing the seed for regeneration the following season.
This species has several traditional medicinal uses, including for the treatment of snake bites, warts, burns and joint pain!
Leaves and young shoots can be cooked and eaten, along with the seeds that can apparently also be eaten raw (if you can catch them). A dye can also be made from the flowers and leaves.
Other common names for this species are Garden Balsam; Rose Balsam and Touch Me Not (in reference to the exploding seed pods).
