About Impatiens sodenii Engl. & Warb. ex Engl.
This subshrub reaches a maximum height of 2.5 meters. Its stems are succulent, and become woody near their bases. The entire plant is hairless, and its leaves grow in whorls of up to 12 leaves, particularly near branch ends. Leaves are most commonly widely lance-shaped, though they can occasionally be more oblong, and have toothed edges. They can grow up to 18 centimeters long. Flowers appear year-round, growing singly or in pairs. Most flowers are pink, though white flower forms also exist, sometimes with darker markings. Petal widths measure 5 to 6 centimeters (2 to 2.4 inches) for non-cultivated plants, while horticultural varieties can have petals up to 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) wide. The lowest sepal behind the corolla tapers into a long, thin spur that can reach 8 centimeters in length. When mature, the greenish fruit capsule, which grows up to 2.4 centimeters long, splits open explosively to release its seeds.
This plant is cultivated as an ornamental garden shrub, and grows easily in moderate climates. Once established, it has moderate drought tolerance, but it will produce more flowers when watered consistently. It can tolerate light frost. It can be propagated via cuttings, or from seed if seeds are collected before they are dispersed. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Several cultivars have been selected or bred: the large white-flowered 'Madonna', 'Flash' which produces white flowers with pink markings, and 'La Vida Rosa' which bears flowers marked with deeper pink.
