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How to Grow Impatiens Tempo Tempo Burgundy

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Impatiens Tempo Tempo Burgundy

Impatiens walleriana 'Tempo Tempo Burgundy'

flower

A compact, prolific bedding impatiens variety featuring deep burgundy flowers that bloom continuously throughout the growing season. Known for its dwarf, mounding habit and excellent performance in shaded garden settings. This cultivar is part of the Tempo Tempo series, bred for exceptional branching and flower production with minimal pinching.

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Example Impatiens Tempo Tempo Burgundy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Impatiens Tempo Tempo Burgundy

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Impatiens Tempo Tempo Burgundy blooms

    Around May 22

    ≈ 35 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Impatiens Tempo Tempo Burgundy dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Partial shade to shade, 2-4 hours of indirect sunlight daily; tolerates full shade but blooms more prolifically with some light
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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water when top inch of soil feels dry. Impatiens are sensitive to drought and prefer uniform moisture. Water at soil level to avoid wetting foliage.
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Spacing: 8 inches
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Days to maturity: 35-45 days from transplant to first flowers
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Planting depth: Surface sow seeds or plant transplants at same depth as original soil ball

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil with organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.5
Amendments:
Peat moss or coco coir Compost Perlite or vermiculite for drainage Balanced slow-release fertilizer

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 2-11 as an annual; perennial in zones 10-11

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny cotyledons emerge 7-14 days after sowing; delicate first true leaves appear shortly after

Keep soil moist under bright, indirect light. Maintain warm temperatures (70-75°F). Avoid direct sun and heavy watering that could damage fragile stems.

2

Vegetative Growth

2-3 weeks

Plant develops multiple stems and bushy foliage; no flowers present yet. Leaves are deep green and lanceolate

Pinching is usually unnecessary with Tempo Tempo varieties due to their natural branching habit. Keep consistently moist and provide bright indirect light. Maintain warm temperatures above 60°F.

3

Bud Formation

1-2 weeks

Flower buds appear in leaf axils; plant begins to develop its characteristic mounding shape

Continue consistent watering and feeding with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Provide bright, indirect light to encourage prolific budding. Maintain adequate humidity.

4

Flowering

8-12 weeks until frost (continuous through season)

Burgundy flowers with flat, open faces bloom continuously; plant becomes covered in blossoms. Mounding habit becomes fully apparent

Deadheading is not necessary as Impatiens are self-cleaning. Continue regular watering and feeding. Pinch back leggy growth if needed. Maintain humidity levels around 50-60%.

5

Decline/End of Season

Variable; until frost or end of season

Plant growth slows as temperatures drop or days shorten; flowering diminishes in fall

In zones 2-9, remove plants before first frost. In zones 10-11, cut back and move indoors or maintain in frost-free conditions. Can overwinter as houseplant in bright indirect light.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Hostas Ferns Caladiums Begonias Coleus Coral bells (Heuchera) Hellebores Astilbe Impatiens (other colors) Wishbone flower (Torenia)

Avoid planting near:

Aggressive ground covers that may shade out impatiens Plants requiring dry conditions (sedums, cacti) Direct competitors for moisture in poorly draining soils

Common Pests

  • Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe. Avoid overhead watering that wets foliage.

  • Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Remove heavily infested leaves.

  • Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce ladybugs or lacewings.

  • Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

  • and

    Remove by hand at dusk; use beer traps or copper barriers. Keep area clean of debris.

Uses

🍳

Edible Flowers

Culinary

Impatiens flowers are edible and can add visual appeal to salads and desserts, though they have minimal flavor. Some varieties are used in traditional cuisines for decorative purposes. [source]

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Indoor Houseplant

Household

Tempo Tempo Burgundy makes an excellent indoor potted plant in bright indirect light, providing continuous burgundy flowers indoors year-round. Ideal for windowsills, terrariums, and indoor shade gardens. [source]

🎨

Cut Flowers and Arrangements

Craft

The delicate burgundy blooms can be used fresh in small floral arrangements, though stems are somewhat fragile. Flowers last 1-2 days in a vase and work best in mixed bouquets with woody stems for support. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

Impatiens attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies with their nectar-rich flowers. Planting Tempo Tempo Burgundy in shaded areas creates feeding stations for pollinators in low-light garden zones. [source]

🏠

Shade Garden Bedding

Household

This variety excels as a reliable annual bedding plant for consistently shaded borders, woodland edges, and under trees where many flowers fail. Its prolific blooming provides long-lasting color from late spring through frost. [source]

Harvest Tips

Impatiens are ornamental flowers; no harvest is needed. Deadheading is unnecessary as flowers self-clean. Pinch back stems if plant becomes leggy to encourage bushier growth. Enjoy continuous blooms from planting until frost.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 The name 'Impatiens' comes from the plant's explosive seed dispersal mechanism—ripe seed pods burst at the slightest touch, scattering seeds up to several feet away, earning them the nickname 'Busy Lizzie' or 'Touch-me-not.'
  • 🌱 Impatiens walleriana originates from Tanzania in East Africa and was introduced to Western horticulture in the 1890s, becoming one of the most popular shade-loving annuals worldwide.
  • 🌱 The Tempo Tempo series was specifically bred for superior branching and abundant flower production without requiring pinching, making it ideal for both professional growers and home gardeners seeking low-maintenance plants.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Partial Shade Pinch Back True Leaves
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