This is a rare look at Impatiens salpinx - a very unusual species with seahorse-shaped flowers in intense shades of pink and red.  It is found only in a small mountain range on the border of Zimbabwe and Mozambique in southeast Africa, where it is at risk of becoming extinct.  It is almost never seen in cultivation, but fortunately it is pretty easy to grow.  It is a fantastic plant that deserves to be widely grown.

Impatiens salpinx is a perennial species that gets surprisingly large, growing about 4 feet tall for me.  It has a tree-like shape, with attractive red stems that turn woody at the base.  Its leaves are equally attractive, with deep serrations that are usually tipped in red.  The plant flowers almost all year long!  The inch-long blossoms are suspended outward by bright red stems.  The species name "salpinx" is Greek for trumpet, in reference to the horn-shaped blooms.  This is a true species, not a cultivated hybrid.  You might be able to cross-breed it with some other Impatiens species to create interesting new hybrids.

I don't know its climate tolerances, but related African Impatiens usually prefer temperatures below 85°F (29°C) with cool nights, and resent the combination of hot days with warm nights (over 65°F / 18°C).  It has handled temperatures in the mid-30s (2°C), but i don't think it can survive frost.  It grows great indoors in a pot.  It can handle more sun than most Impatiens, but it's happiest when protected from strong sun.  It doesn't need direct sun to thrive, just bright light.  Like most Impatiens, it prefers well-draining soil that's kept evenly moist.  Over about 40% humidity is best.   In the right conditions, it is an easy plant.

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