How to Grow Summer Pastels
Summer Pastels
Impatiens walleriana (hybrid cultivar)
flowerSummer Pastels is a hybrid impatiens variety prized for its delicate, pastel-colored flowers in soft shades of pink, lavender, white, and coral. These tender annuals produce continuous blooms throughout warm months and thrive in shaded garden spaces. They are ideal for containers, hanging baskets, and shaded borders where they provide reliable color.
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Example Summer Pastels timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Summer Pastels
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 Summer Pastels blooms
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Summer Pastels dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Best in zones 3-11 as tender annuals; grow year-round in zones 10-11
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny green seedlings with 2-4 small leaves emerge. Very delicate and prone to damping off.
Maintain high humidity, provide bright indirect light, keep soil moist but well-draining. Use sterile seed-starting mix. Ensure excellent air circulation.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple stems and increasingly dense foliage. Leaves are oval, glossy, and deep green. No flowers yet.
Pinch back growing tips to encourage bushier growth. Maintain consistent moisture and humidity. Begin gentle fertilizing at half-strength weekly.
Budding
2-3 weeksFlower buds appear in leaf axils. Plant becomes compact and full with visible bud clusters forming.
Maintain consistent watering and light schedules. Begin full-strength balanced fertilizing weekly. Ensure good air circulation to prevent mold.
Flowering
8-12 weeks or until frostDelicate pastel-colored flowers bloom prolifically in soft pinks, lavenders, whites, and corals. Flowers are typically 1-1.5 inches wide with 5 petals.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Water consistently, avoiding foliage. Fertilize every 7-10 days with diluted balanced fertilizer.
Decline
Variable; typically until first frostFlowering slows as temperatures cool or plant becomes root-bound. Some leaf yellowing may occur. Growth slows dramatically below 55°F.
Plants are frost-tender; bring indoors before first frost if desired as houseplants. Otherwise, allow to decline naturally. Compost spent plants.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, spray with water, use neem oil if severe. Avoid overhead watering which promotes them in dry conditions.
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Yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap, improve air circulation, isolate affected plants.
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Remove with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, spray with insecticidal soap, isolate infested plants.
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Allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings, use sticky traps, improve drainage, avoid overwatering.
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No cure; remove and destroy infected plants. Prevent by controlling thrips and maintaining plant hygiene.
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryImpatiens flowers are edible and can garnish salads and desserts, adding delicate pastel color and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. However, they are primarily ornamental; use only pesticide-free plants. [source]
Container & Basket Gardening
HouseholdSummer Pastels excel in hanging baskets, window boxes, and container arrangements for shaded patios and porches. Their trailing habit and continuous blooms make them ideal for adding color to covered outdoor spaces. [source]
Shade Garden Foundation
HouseholdThese flowers are essential for shaded garden designs, providing reliable pastel color where many sun-loving plants fail. They brighten dark corners and create visual interest without requiring direct sunlight. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeImpatiens flowers attract hummingbirds and various pollinators, making them valuable in wildlife gardens. The persistent blooms provide sustained nectar sources throughout the growing season. [source]
Fresh Floral Arrangements
CraftCut stems make charming short-lived cut flowers for small vases and mixed arrangements. The pastel colors coordinate well with other shade-loving plants and filler foliage. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pinch off spent flowers throughout the growing season to encourage more blooms. Cut flower stems for fresh arrangements; impatiens last 3-5 days in water. Harvest seeds if desired by allowing some flowers to fade; seed pods develop and mature for 2-3 weeks before splitting open.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'impatiens' comes from the plant's impatience in dispersing seeds—mature seed pods explosively burst open when touched, earning them the nickname 'touch-me-nots.'
- 🌱 Summer Pastels are sensitive to overwatering and thrips; they are sometimes called 'indicator plants' because they quickly show stress from either condition, making them useful for monitoring growing conditions.
- 🌱 Impatiens are native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia and cannot tolerate freezing temperatures, which is why they are grown as tender annuals in temperate climates but can be perennial in frost-free zones.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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