Camellia impatiens is a double-flowered impatiens whose flowers resemble camellias, suitable for courtyard container planting

Camellia impatiens is an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Impatiens in the family Balsaminaceae, belonging to the double-flowered variety group of impatiens. Its flowers are layered in multiple rows, full and rounded, and their form closely resembles that of the camellia, which is how it got the name camellia impatiens. The flower colors are rich, commonly including red, pink, white and bicolor, and the plant has an upright habit with bright green stems and leaves; the ornamental period is mainly concentrated in summer and autumn.

For care, camellia impatiens likes warmth and ample light, and is suitable for planting in loose, fertile soil with good drainage. During the growing period, keeping the soil slightly moist is enough, and waterlogging must be avoided, otherwise the roots rot easily. During the seedling stage, pinching can be done to encourage more branching and a fuller plant shape, and removing spent flowers in time during the flowering period can make the blooming last longer.

Propagation is mainly by sowing, generally carried out after temperatures warm up in spring; the seeds germinate quickly and the seedlings emerge evenly. After its fruits mature, they split open automatically and eject the seeds, and its self-sowing ability is strong, so new seedlings can often be seen in the same spot the following year.

Camellia impatiens has strong adaptability and is easy to manage. It is often used in flower beds and flower borders, and can also be potted to accent balconies and courtyards. Note that it is not cold-tolerant; after frost arrives the plant gradually wilts, so it can simply be grown as an annual. Proper shading and watering during high summer temperatures can prevent the leaves from wilting and lead to better overall growth.