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Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 04/27/06

If last summer's impatiens burned out by September, try lengthening your garden's brilliance with a new, longer-lasting species called SunPatiens, a cross between traditional New Guinea and wild impatiens.

Viva!'s SunPatiens thrive in full sun and intense heat and humidity, for a lengthier life span and fuller bloom season, says Scott Manning, merchandising vice president of live goods and landscape at Home Depot, which will carry the plant exclusively this spring. "The plant has an extended life of color that could last until as late as the first winter frost," he says.

The first installment of the new species bred in Japan has four colors: orange, white, purple and red. The plants can reach 30 inches at full height.

SunPatiens will be available in 1,700 locations by spring's end. They sell for $3.99 to $5.99 for a plant in a 1-gallon bucket.

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