Impatiens - Impatiens

• You feel impatient and easily irritated, you don't like slowness

Himalayan balsam, giant balsam, granular impatiens, Himalayan impatiens… Under all these names hides one and the same plant: Impatiens glandulifera. Native to Kashmir and Nepal, it was introduced to France during the 19th century: quick to grow and spread against all odds, it has adapted very well to the French environment. Perhaps even a little too well, because since the 20th century, this plant has been considered an “invasive” species…

The grainy impatiens is nonetheless a very beautiful plant: look for it near waterways, in full sun or in areas plunged into partial darkness, if you wish to admire it. You will recognize it by its rather impressive size – it can reach up to two meters high and about sixty centimeters wide –, by its serrated leaves and above all, by its superb flowers, which bloom from July to September. They can take on different shades: pink, pale mauve, red…

Note that the "fruits" of this plant are very unusual: they form a kind of very long, striped capsule. When they break off, they release numerous seeds at high speed several meters away, which is why Impatiens glandulifera is a plant that spreads quickly.