Guess not!

Ginny,

I don't know if mine count because I grew all the impatiens in pots this year. One small "leftover" plug got planted in a bed, but it looks like the frost whacked it. But all of the containers are still blooming because on the night when temps were supposed to drop to below-freezing, I pulled them inside (they all are just outside the door).

There were only two nights that were freezing, and that was a couple weeks back. Since then all of the impatiens have been outside. I also got some "volunteers" that seeded in my houseplants when they summered outside. I've since brought all the tropical houseplants in, and many of them are sharing their containers with impatiens and celandine poppy that also hitchhiked in.

The city of Boston has not yet experienced a frost. They came close earlier this month, but the temperature did not hit 32. The average data of the first 32 degree reading in Boston is around Nov 7th. The growing season in the city of Boston this year officially started way back on March 23rd (the last 32 degree reading). It will be interesting to see how long the season lasts this year in the city--perhaps the first 32 degree reading will hold off until December! Perhaps we will break a record for the longest growing season ever--at Logan Airport anyway.

It is definitely unusual weather. I am amused by the many people who have said to me, "Well, we'll pay for it in January." True New England philosophical gloom.

Today I put the last of the garden furniture/ornaments in the garage and they were positively slimy with green algae from all the rain we have had this season. Gonna be some clean-up and painting next spring.

We haven't really had a frost here yet (my neighborhood), really. The temp on a couple of nights went down to 31F, but there was no frost. A lot of things are growing in my garden, still. There is a lot of green.

Today I passed a house nearby that has impatiens still growing out front. They look ratty, more stem than leaves or blossoms, but they are alive. It's more the cold, saturated soil that will do them in than cold temps.

Still have a beautiful mandevilla . . .

I took some photos today, because I was surprised at all the things still blooming here on the Cape. Daylilies, New Dawn and Fairy rose, campanula, snapdragons, nicotiana, thyme, sweet alyssum, gazania, rudbeckia, and mums of course, plus pots of marguerites and blue-eyed daisies.

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Some of the hydrangea flowers still have good color, and the berries on the hollies, viburnum and euonymous Manhattan are in full swing. Some flowers look a little odd with the fall foliage all around them, but I'm not complaining.

Wow--lovely!--but not here, north of Boston, tho I see a few things in other people's gardens. But I did cut back the garden so who know if I had waited? But if I wait, I get caught by the snow and then have a mighty mess in the spring. Keep us posted on the last bloom of the season, dtd.

Hi Kids,

YES! Today is December 2nd...and here in Brewster on the Cape, I still have impatients in full bloom on my deck. They don't look very happy about it, but they are still in bloom. In addition to the blooms, I still have long stems of ivy & vinca hanging from the pots. We are due for freezing temps tonight so I'm sure they will all be mush tomorrow. It's been a great growing season...

Sooey

Wow, Sooey, and I must add that I just got back from a Christmas house tour in Salem MA and saw window boxes full of blooming impatiens in Derby Square. They didn't look as full and floriferous as in summer but it was pretty amazing nonetheless. A growing season full of surprises--as always here in New England.

Impatiens omeiana Hardy Chinese Impatiens
No not still blooming but this is a late bloomer Sept/Oct it is my first year with this plant so next spring will be a true indicator of how *hardy* it really is for me. I found it was not flexible on it's requirements of deep shade and plenty of water. It was very unhappy during the week or two of extreme summer temps and demanded more water than I would have ever thought. kt

Gorgeous plant,Runktrum. May I ask where you got it?

ginny,
I bought it at one of my local nurseries that sadly doesn't ship. If mine survives I would be happy to share with you. kt

Oh My...beautiful. And still so lush! I love the leaves.

An update...December 3rd...still blooming impatients on the deck. Every year I put everything 'to bed' the first part of November. Last year it broke my heart to dump out full pots of blooms and vines. This year I didn't get to the putting away of things until last weekend. I left 4 hanging baskets in place because I wanted to enjoy every extra bloom I could. I thought I would just let nature take her course. Now, I'm having second thoughts...Oh my...should I bring them in tonight...give them shelter from the big freeze that we are expecting? But...I have only one indoor hanger available...I can save only one... But, which one? Crap. This has now turned into 'Sophies Choice'.

OK...I did it. I picked one (1) of the four hanging baskets of impatients and ivy and brought it inside. It is hanging right next to me, in front of the slider. It is...the chosen one... Don't ask me about the other three...

s