How to Grow Super Elfin Orange
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Super Elfin Orange
Impatiens walleriana 'Super Elfin Orange'
flowerSuper Elfin Orange is a compact impatiens cultivar prized for its vibrant orange flowers and dwarf growth habit. This tender annual produces abundant blooms throughout the season and thrives in shaded garden spaces. It's ideal for containers, hanging baskets, and shaded border plantings.
When should you plant Super Elfin Orange in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Super Elfin Orange timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Super Elfin Orange
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 Super Elfin Orange blooms
Around May 22≈ 35 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Super Elfin Orange dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Best grown as an annual in zones 2-9; year-round in zones 10-11
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Get my Super Elfin Orange timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with first true leaves appearing within 7-10 days of germination
Keep soil consistently moist. Maintain warm temperatures (70-75°F). Provide bright indirect light. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.
Vegetative
3-4 weeksPlant develops dense foliage with multiple stems and deep green leaves
Continue consistent moisture. Pinch back stem tips when 3-4 inches tall to encourage bushier growth. Maintain temperatures above 60°F.
Pre-flowering
1-2 weeksPlant becomes compact and full; leaf nodes begin showing flower buds
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage flowering. Continue regular watering and light feeding with balanced or flower-promoting fertilizer.
Flowering
8-12 weeks or until frostProfuse bright orange flowers bloom from leaf axils; plant is covered in blooms
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Water regularly as flowering plants need consistent moisture. Fertilize weekly with diluted balanced or flower formula.
Late Season
Until frost or season endFlowering continues but may slow if temperatures drop below 55°F
Bring container plants indoors before first frost. Reduce watering slightly as growth slows. Continue deadheading to maintain blooms.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity and mist foliage. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Spray undersides of leaves.
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Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days.
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and
Hand-pick in early morning. Use slug bait or copper tape around containers. Remove hiding spots and debris.
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Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Remove infected leaves. Apply fungicide if needed.
Uses
Edible flowers
CulinaryImpatiens flowers are edible and mildly sweet, making them decorative additions to salads and desserts. Use pesticide-free flowers only. [source]
Container and hanging basket gardens
HouseholdSuper Elfin Orange's compact, trailing habit makes it perfect for planters, window boxes, and hanging baskets in shaded patios and balconies. Its dense growth quickly fills containers for professional-looking displays. [source]
Shade garden focal points
HouseholdThe vibrant orange blooms brighten dark corners and shaded areas where other flowering plants won't thrive. Perfect for under trees or along north-facing walls. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeImpatiens flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators with their nectar, providing food sources throughout the growing season. Excellent for wildlife-friendly gardens. [source]
Traditional herbal use
MedicinalIn traditional medicine systems, impatiens has been used to address skin irritations and minor wounds, though scientific evidence is limited. Consult healthcare providers before use. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Deadhead spent flowers regularly by pinching them off just below the bloom. This encourages more flower production throughout the season. For cut flowers, harvest in early morning and place immediately in water.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The name 'Impatiens' comes from the Latin word for 'impatient,' referring to the seed pods that explode and scatter seeds when touched—a mechanism called ballistic seed dispersal.
- 🌱 Super Elfin Orange was bred specifically to be more compact and floriferous than standard impatiens, making it ideal for commercial and home gardening.
- 🌱 Impatiens flowers appear to glow with translucence when backlit by morning or evening sun due to their delicate petal structure, creating stunning photographic subjects.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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