The large green leaves and delicate pink flowers, when planted with other shade-loving plants, will create a wonderfully textured planting around a very shady water feature or dark slope in a hidden corner of the garden. Plants such as Scadoxis multiflorus, Clivia miniata, Peperomia retusa, Streptocarpus spp. and Allophyllus africana are some of the plants to use.

Cultivation: Once acquired, it is easy to grow and multiply Impatiens flanaganiae. To plant a pot or hanging basket, mix equal quantities of washed river sand, fibrous loam, leaf mould and half a handful of pelleted plant food. Fill the container up to three quarters and place the tubers on top. Cover the tubers with the mixture equal to their diameter and water well. Keep the container in a shady spot and only water again when the leaves appear.

If the plants are to be grown in the garden, it is very important that the position is very well drained and the soil contains a lot of organic matter such as compost or leaf mould. Planting and care are the same as for the container plants. Feed the plants regularly with a commercial plant food and keep the plants moist at all times.

Propagation: During the growing season take tip cuttings and put them in a pot containing sharp river sand. Alternatively, lay mature stems along the surface of a sand-filled seed tray and peg them down so that the stem is in close contact with the sand. Water well and keep in a cool, shady place until roots are formed. The rooted cuttings can then be potted up into a suitable mixture and grown until the tubers form.

Pests: The two main pests are white fly and eelworm. Control white fly by spraying with a commercially available insecticide. Eelworm is more problematic and can be kept under control by regularly renewing the growing medium. In the garden it is advisable to lift the tubers at the end of the growing season and store them over winter.