What makes double Impatiens different from regular Impatiens?

Double Impatiens feature layered, rosebud blooms that create a fuller visual mass than single forms. In shade gardens, their uniform habit and steady flowering add texture and volume without gaps. Flowers are displayed above deep green foliage, keeping color visible even in low light. Compared with singles, each plant offers denser floral coverage and improved mildew tolerance in modern series—useful for designers seeking reliable repetition, structure, and clean edging.

Are double Impatiens good for shade?

Yes—double Impatiens thrive in part shade to full shade. In warm climates, give them gentle morning sun and protection from harsh afternoons. As warm-season annuals, they flower steadily where nights stay mild. Prepare loose, organic soil, keep it evenly damp, and then plant after all frost risk passes. In deep shade, they brighten borders, paths, and containers while maintaining consistent color and form through the season.

Are these double Impatiens resistant to downy mildew?

Modern double Impatiens, including the Glimmer line, are bred for strong tolerance to Impatiens downy mildew. They’re not invincible, so support them with proper spacing, airflow, and base-level watering. Avoid overhead irrigation late in the day and limit splash from bare soil. Clean up debris around each plant, rotate sites annually, and track humidity. With these practices, outbreaks remain rare even in muggy conditions.

Can I grow double Impatiens in containers or hanging baskets?

Absolutely. Double Impatiens excel in containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes. Choose a quality container mix and a pot about 12 inches wide for a single showpiece; larger containers can host multiple plant starts. Feed lightly but regularly, pinch early to keep a rounded habit, and rotate placements for even growth. Water thoroughly when the top inch dries, and ensure each plant has dependable drainage to minimize stress.

Where can I find care tips for growing double Impatiens?

For comprehensive guidance, see our <a href="/articles/impatiens-complete-guide">Impatiens Growing Guide</a>—it explains when to plant, feeding, spacing, disease prevention, and troubleshooting for shade-loving annuals. You’ll also find ideas for pairing double Impatiens with compatible companions from various breeders and retailers (including proven winners selections) to maintain season-long color. Use the guide to choose media, schedule light grooming, and plan bloom sequences so each plant delivers reliable texture and impact.

How often should I water and feed double Impatiens?

Water to maintain even soil moisture—double Impatiens dislike drying out completely or staying saturated. Feed with a balanced, diluted fertilizer every two to three weeks during peak bloom, easing off during cool spells. Mulch lightly to steady temperatures and reduce splash, and trim midseason if needed to refresh shape. With consistent care, each specimen keeps producing dense, rosebud flowers across the warm months.

Seven Double Impatiens Varieties from Glimmer Series

Q: Are double Impatiens good for shade?

Yes&mdash;double Impatiens thrive in part shade to full shade. In warm climates, give them gentle morning sun and protection from harsh afternoons. As warm-season annuals, they flower steadily where nights stay mild. Prepare loose, organic soil, keep it evenly damp, and then plant after all frost risk passes. In deep shade, they brighten borders, paths, and containers while maintaining consistent color and form through the season.

Q: How often should I water and feed double Impatiens?

Water to maintain even soil moisture&mdash;double Impatiens dislike drying out completely or staying saturated. Feed with a balanced, diluted fertilizer every two to three weeks during peak bloom, easing off during cool spells. Mulch lightly to steady temperatures and reduce splash, and trim midseason if needed to refresh shape. With consistent care, each specimen keeps producing dense, rosebud flowers across the warm months.

The Impatiens Walleriana Glimmer Series is a collection of double-flowered Impatiens cultivars developed for strong performance in shaded outdoor spaces. Bred by Ball SB and later introduced to the market via Florensis, this series is known for its layered, rosebud-like flower structure and resistance to Impatiens downy mildew—a common issue with earlier varieties.

These double Impatiens flowers come in seven color options and are suited for mass plantings, containers, hanging baskets, or mixed garden borders. Their compact growth and consistent flowering make them a practical choice for summer color without the typical disease setbacks.

Explore All Seven Impatiens Glimmer Series Varieties

Bred by Ball SB, the Impatiens Glimmer Series includes seven double-flowered Impatiens cultivars, each featuring densely layered petals that resemble small rosebuds. The series offers a wide range of flower colors designed to perform well in shaded and partially shaded conditions, making it ideal for diverse landscape applications.

double impatiens are proven winners when it comes to consistent flowering and are considered popular annuals; Inset: Glimmer Double Impatiens mixed from Ball — *Picture by* *@Ball Floraplant*

Available in colors ranging from white and soft pinks to bold reds and salmon, the Glimmer Series allows for flexible design options in gardens, containers, and patio planters. Its consistent summer flowering and mildew resistance make it a go-to option for gardeners looking to reduce maintenance while maintaining color throughout the season.

1. Impatiens Glimmer™ White

The Glimmer™ White double Impatiens is known for its crisp white, rosebud-style flowers that stand out against dark green foliage. Each flower is composed of multiple overlapping petals, creating a full, layered structure ideal for adding contrast to shaded garden areas or container groupings.

Glimmer Series Double Impatiens - Photo of Impatiens Glimmer White — *Picture by @Riverdene Garden Centre*

This cultivar performs well in containers, borders, and mass plantings. Its compact growth habit and uniform form make it suitable for formal planting schemes or mixed arrangements with other shade-tolerant plants. As part of the Glimmer Series, Glimmer™ White also exhibits high resistance to Impatiens downy mildew, addressing a common issue in earlier varieties.

2. Impatiens Glimmer™ Appleblossom

The Glimmer™ Appleblossom variety features soft, pale pink double flowers with a structure that resembles miniature roses. Each flower contains multiple petals arranged in a dense, rounded form, making it a subtle yet effective addition to shaded spaces.

Glimmer Appleblossom from Ball. these impatiens flower look great in window boxes and grow well with part shade and proper soil moisture — *Picture by @That Garden Gal*

This variety works well in mixed containers or garden borders where a softer color palette is desired. Its appleblossom pink tone offers visual contrast without overpowering nearby plants. Like other Glimmer Series cultivars, it is bred for strong resistance to Impatiens downy mildew and performs reliably in areas with limited sun.

3. Impatiens Glimmer™ Bright Red

Glimmer™ Bright Red features bold, red double flowers with a compact growth habit suited for containers, borders, or large mass plantings. The densely petaled structure creates a visually solid appearance, offering consistent color throughout the growing season in shaded or partially shaded areas.

Impatiens Walleriana glimmer bright red — *Photo: @greenwood_nurserymn*

This variety is especially effective as a focal point in planters or to add depth along shaded walkways. Like the rest of the Glimmer Series, it has been bred with strong resistance to Impatiens downy mildew, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners in humid or disease-prone regions.

4. Impatiens Glimmer™ Burgundy

Glimmer™ Burgundy offers deep burgundy double flowers with a layered petal structure that adds depth and contrast to shaded planting areas. The rich color provides a darker tone that works well alongside lighter varieties in the Glimmer Series or as a standalone feature in containers and border edges.

Impatiens Glimmer Burgundy - these flowers look amazing in pot arrangements as they do in ground — *Picture by @Ball Flora Plant*

This cultivar maintains a compact and uniform shape, making it easy to work with in formal or casual planting designs. As with all Glimmer varieties, it is bred to be highly resistant to Impatiens downy mildew and performs well in consistently moist, shaded environments.

5. Impatiens Glimmer™ Dark Red

Glimmer™ Dark Red is a double Impatiens cultivar with intense, dark red flowers that add strong contrast in shaded or partially shaded plantings. The flower structure is dense and rounded, featuring tightly layered petals that maintain their form throughout the season.

Impatiens Glimmer Dark Red - searching the impatiens flower in this shade and spread is a common sight in terms of cut flower industry — *Picture by @Riverdene Garden Centre*

This variety is suitable for containers, foundation beds, or border edges where a more saturated tone is desired. Its adaptability to low-light conditions and high resistance to Impatiens downy mildew make it a dependable option for long-term garden use, especially in humid climates or high-shade areas.

6. Impatiens Glimmer™ Hot Pink

Glimmer™ Hot Pink is a double Impatiens variety known for its vivid pink flowers and reliable performance in shaded environments. The layered petals form compact, rosebud-like flowers that maintain their color intensity throughout the growing season.

Glimmer Series Double Impatiens - flowers breaking, spreading and growing from its stems that could be as tall as 12 inches in length; Inset: Glimmer Impatiens Hot Pink variety bred by Ball — *Picture by* *@Norgarivier Nursery*

Ideal for containers, hanging baskets, or mixed borders, this variety provides strong visual impact without requiring full sun. Like all members of the Glimmer Series, Glimmer™ Hot Pink is bred for resistance to Impatiens downy mildew and thrives in consistently moist, well-drained soil under partial to full shade.

7. Impatiens Glimmer™ Salmon

Glimmer™ Salmon features soft salmon-colored double flowers that bring a more understated, warm tone to shaded garden spaces. The flower form is consistently full, with a rounded shape that holds well in containers, hanging baskets, and low-light garden beds.

Impatiens Glimmer Salmon - these annual flowers grow well and in proper shades from buds when nutrient is provided properly making it a proven winner when it comes to blooming as an annual — *Picture by @Ball Floraplant*

This variety blends easily with brighter or deeper-toned Impatiens, creating balance in mixed plantings. It performs best in shaded areas with moist but well-drained soil and, like the rest of the Glimmer Series, is highly resistant to Impatiens downy mildew.

Why Choose the Glimmer Series of Double Impatiens?

The Glimmer Series offers a modern approach to shade gardening, especially for growers and landscapers looking for color consistency, mildew resistance, and strong garden performance. These double Impatiens varieties are bred to thrive in low-light conditions without sacrificing flower density or season-long vigor.

Glimmer Series Double Impatiens kept in a pot; scientific name Impatiens walleriana — *Picture by @Ball Floraplant*

What sets this series apart is its dependable resistance to Impatiens downy mildew, a common challenge that has affected traditional Impatiens varieties in many regions. With seven distinct colors, the Glimmer Series provides options for coordinated designs across mass plantings, mixed containers, and retail-ready programs.

Whether you're looking to refresh shaded landscapes or offer a durable flowering option to home gardeners, the Glimmer Series delivers color, form, and disease resistance in one complete solution.

Supporting Healthy Growth in Every Garden Setting

While each variety in the Glimmer Series is bred for performance and reliability, proper planting conditions are key to getting the best out of your double Impatiens. From moisture control to shade placement, even small adjustments can make a difference in overall plant health and flower density.

For a complete guide on how to plant, space, and maintain Impatiens for success across garden beds and containers, read an in-depth growing and care guide here.

Glimmer Series Double Impatiens; double impatiens are scientifically known as Impatiens walleriana — *Picture by @Tanya Visser*

The Glimmer Series of double Impatiens offers a dependable, visually consistent solution for growers, landscapers, and gardeners working with shaded or low-light spaces. With strong mildew resistance, layered flower structures, and a versatile color range, this series meets both production and design needs.

Whether you're selecting flowering plants for containers, shade garden installations, or retail-ready programs, Glimmer Impatiens delivers reliable performance season after season.

Header image by @Eckards Feature image by @Tanya Visser