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Yellow is a rare color for Impatiens, but this one is loaded with it! Impatiens auricoma is an unusual species from the Comoro Islands off the coast of Madagascar, where it is rare. All year long it makes tons of golden-yellow blossoms with an oddball shape. The blooms cluster around the top of this 2 foot tall plant - looking almost like little canaries flying around it! This is an excellent show plant that happens to be easy to grow. It is really rare, and seldom seen for sale.
Impatiens auricoma is a large perennial species with an upright, tree-like shape. It's pretty much always in bloom, and it makes an insane amount of blooms! The inch-long flowers are hooded to protect against rain, and have red markings inside to attract pollinators. This is a true species, not a cultivated hybrid. You can cross-breed it with my red Impatiens bicaudata to create a larger plant with great pastel orange flowers. Or cross it with my tuberous Impatiens tuberosa and the seedlings will have a tuberous base!
It comes from a mild, tropical climate, so it prefers temperatures between around 60 and 85 degrees F (15-29°C). I haven't tried it in cold weather, but i suspect it won't thrive below 50°F (10°C), and likely can't survive frost. Fortunately it does great indoors in a pot. Like other Impatiens, use a well-draining soil that's kept evenly moist. It likes filtered light, and needs protection from strong afternoon sun to prevent wilting. Over about 40-45% humidity is best. In the right conditions, it's very vigorous and flowers young.
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