This erect, exotic-looking perennial can be found in front of the Palm House.
Containing approximately 850 species the genus Impatiens comprises annuals, perennials and subshrubs from predominantly tropical and warm-temperate regions. All species have fleshy, toothed foliage and bear asymmetrical, spurred flowers. I. tinctoria ssp. elegantissima is a Ugandan species growing to 2m in height. The white flowers bear dark red markings, and have two distinctive broad, lateral petals and an upper petal which extends to produce a spur up to 9cm long. Though a tender species, the tuberous rootstock will persist if grown in a warm, sheltered location in the garden.