Impatiens plant named Vista Impatiens No. 3

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of impatiens Plant known by as Vista Impatiens No. 3, and particularly characterized by its compact, spreading and self-branching habit; large and brilliant carmine flowers; dark red-green foliage, and suitably for growing as a bedding plant, pot plant or hanging basket. su The present invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar of impatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens, and known by the cultivar name Vista Impatiens No. 3. This new cultivar was the result of a planned program of hybridization the purpose of which was to obtain a series of plants having a wide range of colors and with very large flowers derived from the New Guinea complex of species collected by the Longwood Garden Expedition of 1970. The new cultivar was selected in 1981, and given seedling No. 3381-57-2. The cultivar was produced by crossing seedlings 3081-1×3357-1. Asexual reproduction by terminal or stem cuttings taken by me at Cartago, Costa Rica has shown that the unique features of this new impatiens are stabilized and are reproduced true to type in sucessive propagations. The following characteristics distinguish the new impatiens from both its parent cultivar and other cultivated Impatiens of this type known and used in the floriculture industry: 1. Vista Impatiens No. 3 was selected for its compact growing habit, making it suitable for growing as bedding plants, pot plant culture and hanging baskets. 2. Flower size is consistently large (60 mm. ), and the flower color is a brilliant carmine red. 3. The foliage color is dark red green, providing a beautiful background and contrast to the flowers. 4. Excellent self-branching habit. 5. Exhibits good keeping quality in both having baskets and pots outside in full sun (fall, winter and spring months), and under light shade in summer in Florida where it will bloom year-round in the absence of frost. 6. Growth rate is moderate, producing a low dome-shaped plant 38-45 cm. high and 45-60 cm. in diameter in 6-8 weeks in a 51/2" pot.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct cultivar of impatiens plant known as Vista Impatiens No. 3, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by its compact, spreading and self-branching habit; large and brilliant carmine flowers; dark red-green foliage, and suitability for growing as a bedding plant, pot plant or hanging basket.