Impatiens walleriana “F1 Athena” is a new series of rosebud flowered impatiens. This high quality series gives consistent semi-double blooms, each rosebud growing to around 4cm wide.

Athena's added vigour is designed to outperform other varieties. Its spreading habit and fantastic colour range make a great impact in the garden. Use it in baskets and containers, it also makes excellent edging for beds and borders.
The Athena series consists of six colours – Appleblossom, Bright Purple, Orange, Orange Flash, Red and Red Flash

Impatiens are one of the top selling annuals year after year, and for good reason. They are easy to grow, flower reliably all summer long and bloom in a multitude of colours. Impatiens prefer a well-drained soil and will flourish in full sun or partial shade.

Timing:
Impatiens is perennial in frost-free growing conditions and is often grown as an annual and discarded at the end of the flowering season. As such, can be sown almost all year round, (apart from the hottest and coldest months)
It can also be sown directly, but results are far greater if the seeds are given favourable conditions during raising. Modern hybrids are produced to yield 90-100% germination if given good conditions during raising.

Sowing:
Sow indoors February to April or September to October
Sow in trays or pots of seed compost. Gently press the seed onto the surface. Keep moist but do not saturate the compost, maintain a high humidity, by sealing in a clear polythene bag or covering with plastic or glass. (Use a propagator, if you have one)
Keep at a temperature of 21-25°C (70-77°F) in light but not strong sunlight.

After germination remove the covering, allowing air to the plants and gradually reduce the temperature to approx. 15°C (60°F), a warm kitchen windowsill is often sufficient.

Thin (prick out) into 7cm (3”) pots when the seedlings are large enough to handle. Harden off young plants gradually for 10-15 days before planting out, after all risk of frost has passed. (Usually from mid May to June onwards) Plant 20cm (8”) apart.

Cultivation:
Flowers should be removed as soon as they have faded to promote the growth of further blooms. Water in periods of drought.

Plant Uses:
Baskets, Containers, Beds and borders.

Of interest:
The plant derives its scientific name Impatiens ("impatient") and the common name "touch-me-not" from the plant's seed pods. When the seed pods mature, they "explode" when touched, sending seeds several meters away. This mechanism is also known as "explosive dehiscence".