Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Annual Biennial

Impatiens niamniamensis 'Congo Cockatoo'

balsam 'Congo Cockatoo'

A short-lived, upright, evergreen perennial up to 90cm in height. The flattened, tubular flowers hang below the leaves and have a green, hooded mouth, yellow middle and red, hooked tail. It can flower at any time of year

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Clay
Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral, Alkaline, Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Red Yellow Green
Summer Green Red Yellow Green
Autumn Green Red Yellow Green
Winter Green Red Yellow Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B
Botanical details
Family
Balsaminaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Impatiens can be annuals or evergreen perennials, with fleshy stems bearing simple, toothed leaves and solitary or clustered, spurred, 5-petalled flowers

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Needs a sheltered, partially shaded site and a moist but well-drained soil. Grow in a container, protected over winter above at 15°C, or use in sub-tropical planting schemes for summer displays

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and vine weevil under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.