I always stick impatiens among the rocks at the top edge of my pond. I just rinse off the dirt and stick them in. Impatiens do quite well bare rooted in the pond.

I also use impatiens in my bog, barerooted. They grow fast, but they are non-invasive because they are annuals. Just pull them out at the end of the season. They add a load of color to the pond.

When you use impatiens, are they in full sun or shade? I know they are are a shade plant, but with water all the time and Oklahoma sun, I have to wonder how well they would do?

I have them in sun and shade. In dirt, they will die in the sun. But the cool water on their roots seems to help them survive. In the hottest part of the day, the ones in the sun wilt pretty bad (while the ones that get shade still look gorgeous), but as soon as the sun goes away they perk right back up. Park seed sells some impatiens seed that is supposed to be more sun tolerant. I may try them next year.

Mine are in almost full sun, getting maybe five or six hours of direct sun in the morning and afternoon. I just use the regular impatiens. I have not had any problems with them wilting badly in the sun. We had a dreadfully hot summer last year, and I was surprised how well the impatiens held up.

Here is a link to my thread I posted last year that included pics of my floating planter islands. These impatiens were planted bare root in the filter furnace floating island goodkarma posted directions to make last year. As you can see my pond is in full sun and the impatiens fourished. I bought a flat or two of impatiens and hosed the dirt off the roots with a gentle water flow. Then I plopped them into the holes in the island and this is the end result. I say go for it. You won't be disappointed.

Jenny

Here is a link that might be useful: floating planter islands

"But with plants in the dirt, do I simply rinse the dirt from their roots & place them in the grate in the top of the filter with their roots in the water?"

Karen, for your purposes it is best to plant aquatic plants in mesh containers with gravel to weigh and anchor them down. No need to plant in dirt as that will just cloud the water with the brisk flow through the bio-filter. Place the mesh containers with the plant and gravel atop the filter media and grate. If it's like my Atlantic filterfalls, the top of the mesh pots (containers are about 4" to 5" tall) are just about even with the water line.

The gravel and mesh also allows the roots to continue to extend into the filter area. You can either cut them back every so often or just let them grow and grow... however, they can tangle-up filter media pretty good.

Hi Karen,

Thanks for the question! It got me thinking....I have a couple waterfall boxes that I installed this summer and am completely idea-less about what to do to cover the open tops of said boxes.

So, I wanted to throw this out to the forum. Does anyone think it would work if I went and bought some sort of plastic grate (I'm thinking of the white ones that they sell at Menards to go over lights in drop ceilings). Cut the grates to fit tightly in the top of the boxes and just plunk a few impatiens down in between the grates?

Thanks!

Here is what I use in the top of my filter falls. Very durable held down by fist sized rocks and will last a life time. I have watercress planted in mine which absorb alot of excess nutrients.

Here is a link that might be useful: grate

Thanks for the help everyone. Jenny, I know it had to be your floating islands from last summer that gave me the idea of impatiens. I remembered all the bright summer color. Just didn't remember exactly where I saw the image!
Can't wait to get started!

Karen

Jenny, I used that exact material for my biofalls box last year with excellent results. The difference is I placed it vertically at the waterfall exit to act as a fence and keep the water hyacinth in the box - worked like a charm and was strong enough to keep everything contained. It's also very easy to cut with a pair of diagonal wire cutters.

It was a bit unsightly at first, but eventually the WH started growing over it and blocked it from sight.

Thanks for the grate/kennel flooring info everyone. And, thanks Karen for not sending me a nasty pm for jumping all over your post!! ;-)

Frogman do you know if this grate something I can purchase locally at a farm supply type store? The shipping is something like $14 for me.

Thank you again!

Jenny I looked everywhere for one locally with no luck. That doesn't mean you will not be sucessful. I do know it will never have to be replaced though, which made the cost worth it to me.