View Larger Balsam

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend

    This plant is ideally used in the front of the flower border and is prone to reseeding. It was a common garden plant in the 18th century.

    Latin Name

    Impatiens balsamina


    Family

    Balsaminaceae


    Also Known As

    Touch-Me-Not


    Type of Plant

    Annuals Annuals

    Bloom Season

    June - September


    Seasons

    Summer Summer

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 2.5'
    Max spread Max Spread: 1.5'

    Uses

  • Annual
  • Flower Border

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Part Shade Part Shade
    Full Shade Full Shade

    Tolerances

  • Drought
  • Dry Soil

  • Colors


    Native Range

    India, Southeast Asia


    History

    In 1793, a Mr. Minton Collins of Alexandria advertised balsam seeds for sale which he had received in a shipment from London.


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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