Impatiens sodenii - Robert the Red

Dark red stems thread through glossy green leaves in ‘Robert the Red’, setting off broad, rosy-pink flowers that can reach about 3 inches across. The red in its name belongs to the stems, with bronze-red flushes sometimes showing in the foliage as well. Against this darker backdrop, the soft pink blooms have an especially luminous quality in a sheltered shade garden.

A fast-growing, shrub-like perennial, this Impatiens sodenii selection can reach roughly 4–5 feet tall and 5–6 feet wide in a mild climate. Give it room to develop its rounded, branching shape behind smaller shade plants, or grow it in a generous container where its stems and flowers can be admired closely. Bloom continues over a long season and may extend through much of the year in frost-free coastal conditions. It is evergreen where winters are mild, but frost can damage the succulent growth.

Choose partial shade or bright shade, with protection from hot afternoon sun and drying wind. Well-drained soil and regular moisture produce the fullest growth; established plants can manage drier intervals in cool shade. USDA Zones 9–11 are suitable with local frost protection where needed. Prune after frost danger passes to encourage branching and keep the plant within its space. Explore our Impatiens collection for more shade-garden color.