Impatiens omeiana 'Pink Nerves'

Mount Omei Balsam Balsaminaceae

One of the most handsome forms of this remarkably hardy Chinese Impatiens, ‘Pink Nerves’ is grown as much for its extraordinary foliage colouring as for its flowers. The long, lance-shaped leaves emerge with narrow metallic-pink markings along the midribs, developing into rich brownish-green leaves with deep maroon undersides, crimson stems and striking pink-red veins. In late summer and autumn, pendent, peachy-yellow flowers appear above the foliage, their throats delicately spotted orange-red. The effect is rather more exotic than its modest stature suggests.

A plant of Mount Emei (Omei), Sichuan, China, I. omeiana is a rhizomatous woodland perennial that appreciates moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil in partial or full shade. It is surprisingly hardy, dying back after frost and returning reliably from its shallow rhizomes in spring.  ‘Pink Nerves’ spreads gradually to form an attractive colony, but is nothing like the notorious Himalayan balsam in its behaviour — this one knows when to stop. The cultivar has an interesting horticultural history: it derives from Germany, although the original German nursery or collector responsible has not yet been reliably documented. 

Origin: Mount Emei (Omei), Sichuan, China; ‘Pink Nerves’ is a German-derived clone, original introducer undocumented.
Flowering: August–October
Hardiness: H4, approximately −10 to −5°C
Height: 30–40 cm
Spread: 30–50 cm