Are you looking to add color and beauty to your garden? If so, Impatiens and Vinca are two plant varieties that you might be considering. But which should you choose?
Impatiens and Vinca both have attractive flowers and come in a variety of colors like red, purple, and white, making them popular choices for adding a splash of color to outdoor spaces or gardens. They are also relatively easy to care for and maintain but have some differences also.
Understanding the differences between the two can help you make an informed decision when selecting the right plants for your garden.
In this article, we will look at Impatiens vs Vinca, highlighting their different characteristics and features so that you can decide which is best suited for your gardening needs.
Impatiens Vs Vinca
| Vinca | Impatiens | |
| Plants Type | Perennial | Perennial |
| Common Name | Periwinkle | Bizzy Lizzy |
| Family | Apocynaceae(Dogbane) | Balsaminaceae |
| Bloom Time | Spring | Nonstop From Spring Until Frost |
| Leaf | Simple, evergreen oppositely arranged glossy and evergreen oblong to ovate shape 2 inches long | green or reddish-green, ovate to elliptic in shape |
| Flower color and shape | pink, purple, red, white, magenta, and bi-colors. star-shaped with five petals | pink, red, orange, white, and purple single, five-petaled, cup-shaped petals are usually rounded and overlapping |
| Sun or Light requirement | full sun to partial shade | Shade loving plants |
| Water | Regular water but not overwater | Impatiens require consistent moisture. More water need than Vinca. |
| Soil | Well-draining, moist soilPrefer soils ph of 5.5-6 | Well-draining, moist soilPrefer ph of 6-7 |
| Fertilizer | Not mandatory but for better results, it considers balanced fertilizer NPK(10-10-10) | Water soluble moderate fertilizer when plants seem to be affected by pests or others. |
| Pruning | Should be pruned any dead steam or leaves. | Should be pruned at any time when needed. |
| Humidity | Above 52% or below 11% | At least 40% humidity |
| Toxicity | Considered poisonous to humans, dogs, cats, and children if ingested. | Non-toxic plants |
| Difficulty | Low maintenance plant | Easy to care |
| Common problems | Fungal disease, Leggy | Wilting flowers |
What is Impatiens?
Impatiens are popular flowering plants that are perennial and partial shade-loving plants, making them numerous gardeners’ great choices when selecting plants. Even my personal best choice.
Impatiens, commonly known as Wishbone Flowers and Busy Lizzies, are popular flower species that originated identified in Europe and Africa. This vibrant flower is commonly used for decorative purposes and has quickly grown in popularity amongst gardeners. Impatiens are also highly well-liked by flower lovers who appreciate them for their vibrant, bright colors.
Flowers of Impatiens
Impatiens is a genus of flowering plants that can bring color and life to any flower garden.
There are over 1,000 species of Impatiens according to Wikipedia resources, which are perennials shade-loving plants.
Impatiens produce a wide range of flower colors like red, purple, pink, and white.
There are also bi-colored varieties like pink and rose or peach and apricot which have their own charm that adds character to any area you place them in.
What is Vinca?
Vinca flower is also known as Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus (‘rose’), or vinca rosea.
This low-growing plant produces beautiful purple blooms that brighten up any flower arrangement or landscape. Once established, it requires minimal maintenance and can be used effectively as a ground cover in areas that are sunny or partially shaded.
Which is better Vinca or Impatiens?
Vinca is an annual ground cover that can grow in full sun or partial shade and produces blue, pink, or white flowers. Relatively, compared to other plants, Vinca is drought-tolerant and resistant to common garden pests and diseases, making it a good choice for water conservation.
Impatiens is a shade-loving annual flower that produces vibrant blooms in multiple colors. It needs consistently moist soil and may require more frequent watering in hot, dry weather. Also, Impatiens are susceptible to disease in humid conditions.
By comparing Impatiens and Vinca, Vinca can be better due to their low-maintenance, drought-tolerant ground cover ideal for full sun or partial shade. In my opinion, if you are looking for a colorful, shade-loving annual with vibrant flowers, Impatiens may be a better fit although not much very different between them.
What is the difference between Periwinkle and Impatiens?
Periwinkle and Impatiens are two different types of plants. According to the comparison, I could not find any huge difference between them.
But I realized in my garden and many resources, Periwinkle is a drought-tolerant perennial that prefers full sun or partial shade. On the contrary, Impatiens is an annual plant that prefers shade and requires moist soil.
Also, Impatiens can produce a much better wide range of colorful flowers than Periwinkles.
Faq
What’s another name for vinca flowers?
Another name for Vinca is Periwinkle.
How long will impatiens last?
Impatiens, also known as “busy Lizzie,” are popular annual flowers that last for several months. Impatiens are popular for many gardeners due to their bright, colorful blooms and low maintenance requirements.
If the growing conditions are ideal with proper care, impatiens can last for the entire growing season, typically from spring to fall.
Moreover, there are many factors such as temperature, light, watering, and diseases that can affect their lifespan. Typically impatiens will last for several months, especially with the blooming period lasting for about 2-3 months.
Are impatiens hard to keep alive?
Impatiens are relatively easy to keep alive. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, although they can tolerate some sun. They require regular watering, but should not be over-watered.
With the right care and monitoring, impatiens can bring a splash of color to your garden for several months. However, you must be on the lookout for any signs of infection from powdery mildew or other fungal diseases and promptly treat them
Can impatiens survive full sun?
Impatiens are shade-loving plants and Impatiens thrive well in partially shaded areas and should be protected from extended periods of direct sunlight. If they are exposed to full sun, they will require more frequent watering and their flowers may fade.
Are vincas low maintenance?
Vincas are among the easiest flowers to grow and care for. It is a hardy, evergreen perennial that can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.
When provided with plenty of sunshine, well-draining soil, and occasional watering, Vincas will happily flower for many months.
So undoubtedly, Vincas are also perfect for anyone looking for colorful flowers that don’t require a lot of time and effort.
Do vincas last all summer?
Vinca is a perennial flowering plant, meaning it will come back every year and can last for a long time. It produces flowers that typically bloom in late spring to early summer and continue blooming through late summer or early fall.
The blooming period can vary depending on the variety and the climate, but generally, they bloom for a long period.
In many cases, they can flourish throughout the entire season. Vinca is also an evergreen, which indicates that it will sustain its foliage all through the year, bringing hue and structure to the garden even when not in bloom.
How do you keep impatiens blooming?
For keeping Impatiens blooming, Impatiens should be planted in soil with good drainage and in an area that gets partial shade to keep them blooming. Regular watering is essential, but before watering every planter should remember that too much water can cause their leaves to yellow and the flowers to drop.