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Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the
Mid-Atlantic
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Impatiens capensis (Orange or Spotted Jewelweed)
The showy flowers of this native annual dangle on slender stalks mid- summer to early fall along stream banks and in open swamps, moist meadows, and marshes throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. Water droplets captured on its leaves glisten, giving rise to its common name, Jewelweed. The violent dispersal of seeds from ripe capsules, which burst open upon contact, give it another common name, Touch-me-not.
Video © Mary Free
Impatiens capensis is especially attractive to hummingbirds but it also attracts insect pollinators and others, some of which are seen in this video. Although it is an annual, this native plant persists in the landscape through self-seeding, and in optimum conditions can spread aggressively.
Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants:
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets