How to Grow Super Elfin Scarlet
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Super Elfin Scarlet
Impatiens walleriana 'Super Elfin Scarlet'
flowerSuper Elfin Scarlet is a compact, award-winning impatiens cultivar prized for its vibrant scarlet-red flowers and dwarf mounding habit. This tender perennial (grown as an annual in most climates) produces prolific blooms from spring through frost, making it ideal for containers, bedding, and shaded gardens.
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Example Super Elfin Scarlet timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Super Elfin 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 Super Elfin Scarlet blooms
Around May 17≈ 30 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Super Elfin Scarlet dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10-11 as a perennial; grown as annual in zones 2-10
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with first true leaves appearing within 7-10 days. Plants are delicate and require high humidity.
Keep soil moist and warm (70-75°F). Provide bright, indirect light. Use a humidity dome if starting from seed. Thin seedlings if crowded.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksCompact branching growth with abundant green foliage. Plant develops bushy, mounding form typical of Super Elfin cultivars.
Maintain consistent moisture. Pinch growing tips early to encourage bushiness. Begin fertilizing weekly with balanced fertilizer. Maintain temperatures of 65-75°F.
Budding
1-2 weeksFlower buds appear at branch tips and leaf axils. Plant transitions from rapid vegetative growth to reproductive phase.
Continue regular watering and fertilizing. Provide bright indirect light to support bud development. Maintain warmth and humidity.
Flowering
8-12 weeks until frostAbundant scarlet-red 1-1.5 inch flowers appear continuously along stems. Dwarf plants typically reach 8-12 inches tall at peak bloom.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming (optional but beneficial). Water consistently. Apply low-nitrogen fertilizer (diluted weekly) to support flowering. Remove any diseased foliage.
Decline/End of Season
Variable; until frost or season endFlowering slows as temperatures drop or frost approaches. Plants become leggy if grown indoors long-term without pruning.
Reduce watering if soil stays wet. Cut back plants to encourage branching if overwintering indoors. Discard or prune severely if preparing for next season.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity; rinse foliage with water; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe. Avoid overhead watering on dry foliage.
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; improve air circulation.
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Improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; remove affected leaves; apply fungicide if needed. This is the most serious disease threat.
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Ensure excellent drainage; allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings; remove affected plants; repot in fresh, sterile soil.
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Reduce humidity and improve air circulation; remove affected flowers/foliage; avoid wetting foliage; apply fungicide if necessary.
Uses
Not edible
CulinaryImpatiens walleriana is not consumed; included for completeness as it contains compounds that may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. [source]
Container and bedding display
HouseholdSuper Elfin Scarlet excels in hanging baskets, window boxes, containers, and shaded garden beds. Its compact, mounding habit and prolific scarlet blooms make it a top choice for shade gardens and patios. [source]
Indoor houseplant
HouseholdCan be grown as a long-term indoor houseplant in bright, indirect light. Maintains compact size and flowers continuously under supplemental lighting. [source]
Cut flowers for arrangements
CraftFresh scarlet impatiens flowers are short-lived (1-2 days in water) but add vibrant color to small fresh arrangements and can be pressed for crafts. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeFlowers attract hummingbirds and insects, providing nectar and pollen for beneficial pollinators in shade gardens. [source]
Harvest Tips
Not typically harvested; grown for continuous ornamental flowering. Deadhead (remove spent flowers) regularly to promote more blooms throughout the season. In cooler climates, enjoy flowering until first frost.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Super Elfin Scarlet was an All-America Selections (AAS) award winner, recognizing it as an outstanding cultivar for home gardeners.
- 🌱 The name 'impatiens' comes from the plant's exploding seed pods that burst open when ripe, flinging seeds up to 3 feet away—a mechanism called ballistic seed dispersal.
- 🌱 Unlike many annuals, impatiens prefer shade and thrive in 2-4 hours of indirect light, making them exceptional for difficult shaded areas where few other flowering plants succeed.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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