Busy Lizzie had been unavailable for years because of a downy mildew epidemic. It has only recently been regaining availability and popularity. During its absence, New Guinea impatiens, Impatiens hawkeri, became more popular. Although a closely related species of the same genus, the two are actually very different. Resistance to mildew is important.
Besides that, New Guinea impatien is about as foliar as it is floral. Its bolder and slightly bigger flowers are notably less abundant than those of busy LIzzie. Also, its floral color range is limited to white, pink, red, lavender, magenta or orange. Its rich green or bronze foliage below compensates though. Many cultivars are variegated with yellow or salmon.
New Guinea impatiens are unfortunately a bit more expensive than most other annuals. The smallest that are available are in four-inch pots. They are unavailable in smaller and less expensive cell packs. They can grow about a foot wide and slightly taller if crowded. During winter, they deteriorate; but they can be tender perennials with shelter from frost.
Tony Tomeo 
Their foliage plus flowers of all colors all summer make them a wonderful plant to have here. Impatiens are popular too, the regular ones.
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Regular impatiens are regaining popularity very slowly. Growers do not trust them. Some supposedly grow ‘improved’ cultivars, but they are the same that we used to grow.
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They are a favorite here because they’re easy to grow in our summers and give beautiful flowers the whole season.
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Mine were perennial for several years. I could have kept them longer if I tried. They grow very easily from cuttings to replace aging specimens.
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We would never do any cuttings cos they plants are plentiful and cheap at the greenhouses here in the spring. One summer and done, with our winters.
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Well, I am too cheap for that. Besides, they do not freeze here. As their bases deteriorate, I plug cuttings from their tops right next to them.
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Whatever works in each climate.
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The leaves really are attractive — and white flower loving me enjoyed seeing those.
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Yes, their foliage was their primary allure before the common impatiens became unavailable. They are like a mix of common impatiens and coleus.
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