Wikipedia Article About Impatiens on Wikipedia Impatiens is a genus of about 800-1000 species of flowering plants in the family Balsaminaceae. The genus has a wide distribution throughout the northern hemisphere and tropics, although they are not found in South America. Some species are annual plants and produce flowers from early summer until the first frost, while perennial species, found in milder climates, can flower all year. They can exist both in, and out, of direct sunlight. Some Impatiens hybrids have commercial importance as garden plants.