How to Grow Splash Series Scarlet
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Splash Series Scarlet
Impatiens walleriana 'Splash Series Scarlet'
flowerSplash Series Scarlet is a vibrant impatiens cultivar featuring bright scarlet-red flowers with distinctive white splashed or speckled markings on the petals. This compact annual creates eye-catching garden displays with continuous blooms throughout the growing season. It's particularly valued for adding bold color to shaded garden beds and containers.
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Example Splash Series Scarlet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Splash Series Scarlet
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Splash Series Scarlet blooms
Around May 22≈ 35 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Splash Series Scarlet dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives as an annual in zones 2-11; perennial in zones 10-11
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with small oval cotyledons and first true leaves appearing within 2 weeks. Plants are delicate and require consistent moisture.
Maintain 70-75°F soil temperature. Provide bright indirect light. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation.
Vegetative Growth
2-3 weeksPlants develop multiple sets of true leaves and begin branching. Growth is bushy and compact, with dark green foliage becoming increasingly visible.
Begin fertilizing with diluted balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Pinch growing tips to encourage bushier growth. Maintain consistent moisture and shade conditions.
Flowering Initiation
1-2 weeksFirst flower buds appear at branch tips. Plant continues growing while buds develop and prepare to open.
Maintain regular watering and begin weekly fertilizing with a balanced or slightly phosphorus-rich fertilizer. Ensure adequate shade to prevent flower stress.
Blooming
8-16 weeks (until frost or end of season)Prolific scarlet flowers with white splashes open continuously. The plant is covered in colorful blooms, creating a striking display.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Maintain consistent moisture and weekly fertilizer application. Monitor for pests and diseases in humid conditions.
Season End
Until first frostAs temperatures cool and days shorten, flowering may slow. Plant vigor declines with frost or cold temperatures.
Continue deadheading as long as blooms appear. Reduce watering slightly if growth slows. Pull plants when frost threatens or flowering ceases.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7 days. Pinch off heavily infested shoots. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
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Increase humidity by misting foliage. Spray with neem oil or sulfur fungicide every 5-7 days. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap weekly. Apply neem oil if infestation persists.
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Allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings. Use diatomaceous earth on soil surface. Apply yellow sticky traps for adults.
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Improve air circulation. Spray with sulfur fungicide or baking soda solution (1 tbsp per gallon). Remove affected leaves.
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Avoid overhead watering. Improve air circulation. Apply copper fungicide if detected early. Remove severely affected plants.
Uses
Fresh Cut Arrangements
CraftThe vibrant scarlet flowers with white markings make striking cut flowers for small bouquets and arrangements. They last 3-5 days in a vase with fresh water. [source]
Shade Garden Bedding
HouseholdIdeal for brightening shaded areas where few flowering plants thrive. Perfect for woodland gardens, under tree canopies, and north-facing borders. [source]
Container and Hanging Basket Gardening
HouseholdThe compact growth habit makes Splash Series Scarlet perfect for pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets on patios and decks. Containers can be moved to optimal light locations. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeImpatiens flowers attract hummingbirds, native bees, and butterflies, providing nectar throughout the growing season. Useful for supporting pollinator populations in shaded gardens. [source]
Seasonal Color Display
HouseholdWith continuous bloom from late spring through fall frost, this cultivar provides reliable, vibrant color in difficult-to-plant shaded zones throughout the entire growing season. [source]
Harvest Tips
This is an ornamental flower, not harvested for food. Pinch off spent blooms regularly to extend flowering season. Cut fresh flower clusters for small bouquets by removing stems just above a leaf node.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'Impatiens' comes from the plant's seed pods, which explosively burst and scatter seeds when ripe—hence 'impatient' to disperse their offspring.
- 🌱 Splash Series cultivars were developed specifically to combine bold solid colors with unique contrasting markings, creating the distinctive white-splashed effect on scarlet petals.
- 🌱 Impatiens are among the few flowering annuals that actually prefer shade, making them invaluable for gardeners struggling with heavily shaded landscapes.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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