To all of you Impatiens lovers. Impatiens have been a big part of gardeners shade gardens for years, but now you may need to consider another plant for the job. Impatiens Downy Mildew is a an airborne disease that affects Impatiens. Once a plant is infected there is no known cure and it should be disposed of. We still sell impatiens and take care to be sure they are disease free but that is no guarantee that they will not be infected later in the garden site.
When considering plants for those shady locations ask us what plants could be used as a substitute. (New Guinea Impatiens and Sunpatiens are not affected by this disease.)