Deer are voracious eaters, fondly grazing Impatiens and other plants. But, hybridized New Guinea Impatiens are likely deer-resistant.
To learn more about how to keep New Guinea Impatiens safe from deer, stay tuned to the article!
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What is New Guinea Impatiens?
New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) differ in size, growth, and flowering habit from Common Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana).
They are native to Papua New Guinea and bloom with vibrant red, orange, pink, and white tones, while leaves bear green, bronze, and purple hues.
Moreover, New Guinea Impatiens love the bright sun, making excellent plants for garden sidewalks and outdoor hanging baskets.
As a sun-loving perennial, they do best in USDA hardiness zones 10-12, but it’s proper to grow them indoors if you live in cold regions.
Common Impatiens vs. New Guinea Impatiens
Unlike Common Impatiens, New Guinea Impatiens are resistant to pests and many pathogens, especially mildew diseases.
They also have fewer but larger blooms than the Common Impatiens.
Although New Guinea Impatiens is a hybrid of other Common Impatiens and have similarities, they do have differences.
To see their differences and similarities, go through the table below.
| Factors | Common Impatiens | New Guinea Impatiens |
|---|---|---|
| Native Range | Southeast Kenya to South Tropical Africa | Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands |
| Common Name | Busy Lizzy, Impatiens, Patience Plant & Sultana | Sunpatiens |
| Habit | Terrestrial Herb or Subshrub (Annuals or Perennials) | Epiphytic Herb or Subshrub (Annuals or Perennials) |
| Flowering Seasons | Summer to Fall | Spring, Summer & Fall |
| Growth Rate | Quick | Quick |
| Size | 10-16 inches tall & 10-15 inches wide | 12-36 inches tall & equally wide |
| Growing Seasons | Late Spring to Early Fall | Early Spring to Late Fall |
| Special Traits | Non-toxic but causes side-effects if eaten Resistant to heavy shade | Non-toxic but causes side-effects if eaten Resistant to drought, most pests, mildews, possibly deer & rabbit |
Do Deer Eat New Guinea Impatiens?
Common Impatiens are spring and summer favorites of herbivores like deer.
Some gardeners often complain about the half-bitten leaves and flowerheads of New Guinea Impatiens.
However, there are possible reasons for deer chowing on them.
- If your plants lack protection or spray deterrents, deer may dip their hooves at night and prey on their leaves and flowers.
- Likewise, if your garden has only New Guinea Impatiens growing without any other plants for bait, deer may consume them.
- Lacking plants that resist deer can also invite their population into your yard.
- If your garden is a shortage of deer-repellant plants like Marigolds, they can likely thrive daily on your garden produce.
Deers may sometimes leave your New Guinea Impatiens alone as they grow taller than other Impatiens varieties.
Hence, it may cause difficulties for some short-statured deer species to eat the leaves and flowers of New Guinea Impatiens.
From Editorial Team
Conclusion!
You can easily grow deer-antagonistic plants to keep deer away from your New Guinea Impatiens garden.
Additionally, you can also resort to using chicken wire fences or flashlights to scare them away.
