How to Trim Impatiens

Plant impatiens after the danger of frost has passed. Choose a shady spot where the plants can grow in moist, well-drained soil. Some varieties, such as New Guinea impatiens, can tolerate up to six hours of sun a day but the more common varieties flourish in full shade or, at most, a couple of hours of morning sun daily. Use impatiens in borders, flower beds under trees, hanging baskets, containers and window boxes.

Space plants close together to encourage higher growth or farther apart to encourage a low-growing spread of blossoms. Promote low growth --- for example, in a border bed --- by spacing plants eight to 12 inches apart. Spacing impatiens tightly forces the plants to grow up rather than out.

Water impatiens generously and check often to make sure that the soil is moist. During the heat of summer, you may need to water the plants daily. Container plants require more frequent watering than bedding plants. Plants that do not receive sufficient water become stressed and not bloom as profusely as well-watered impatiens.

Fertilize your impatiens to encourage healthy growth of foliage and flowers. Mix a slow-release fertilizer into the soil before planting impatiens in garden beds. Apply a water-soluble fertilizer to container and hanging plants about every two weeks during the growing season.

Pinch back plants that look leggy or spindly to improve the plant's appearance and stimulate increased flower production. Cut back stems to within three inches of the plant's base. Removing the upper foliage encourages suppressed leaf buds in the stems to open, producing a new spray of lush, healthy blooms. Pruning when the plants are stressed during summer can encourage a fresh profusion of flowers that lasts through the fall.