News Life

Disease threatens garden impatiens

Surprising scientists and horticulturalists, once-mild downy mildew disease has struck the popular blooms in 33 states

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

A puzzling plant disease may dethrone one of the most popular and reliable flowerbed plants in North America, the garden impatiens.

Impatiens downy mildew, a disease that has recently become more aggressive in the United States, can turn a lush floral display (left) into sad stalks just five weeks later.