This is a rare look at an awesome, new Vietnamese Impatiens discovered in the forests of Northern Vietnam.  This unusual species has little resemblance to typical Impatiens, with its bird-shaped blooms and oversized leaves that have red undersides!  It blooms all throughout the year and makes an amazing show plant.  This is an unidentified species that hasn't been named yet.  I don't know anyone else offering it.

It's a robust plant that grows to 3 feet tall, with an upright habit and rigid stems.  The husky leaves get to 9 inches long.  The top of the leaves are olive-green with a silvery cast, while the bottom has a network of fine, red veins.  The blooms appear along 6 inch-long stems, each with about 8 to 10 flowers.  These inflated, white blossoms are just under 2 inches long, and have pretty pink & yellow markings inside.  You might be able to cross-breed this species with some other Impatiens to create new hybrids.

It grows well for me indoors at about 75-80°F (24-27°C), with nights about 60°F (16°C).  I haven't tried it outside that temperature range, but i suspect it will be unhappy below 50° (10°C), and possibly in high heat.  It responds to stress by dropping its leaves, but it soon regrows them when conditions improve.  Like most Impatiens, it enjoys fertile, well-draining soil that's kept evenly moist.  Give it a large pot to accommodate its spreading root system.  It likes bright, filtered light or morning sun, with protection from strong afternoon sun.  Over about 50% humidity is best.  In the right conditions, it's a vigorous plant.

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