Find Your Ask The Expert: When I was a child my grandma had a flowerbed that had these flowers that had football shaped seed pods. When the seed pods were touched they would pop open flinging the little black seeds out. As best as I can remember, the plants were about two feet tall, light green in color and I think that the flowers were white. These flowers were growing in a shady area along with an old-fashioned bleeding heart. I’m now in my 40’s and I haven’t seen them since. I was wondering if you could help me.
Flower Shop Network‘s Plant Expert Reply:
I believe the plant you are asking about is a touch-me-not or Impatiens balsamina. Here is an example of the seed pods and flower:
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OMGoodness!!!! I have been trying to find this as well. When I was little, my aunt had these and elephant ears all around her pourch. I found some elephant ears but didn’t know what kind these were. I even ask people that worked in gardening and lawn care but no one knew what I was talking about. I have Lupus (SLE) and I want to show my kids how to pop the pods and let them have some of the childhood I had. Now just need to know where I can buy some.
Elisha,
You might try your local garden center nursery.
I also would like to throw out a question about some plants I remember from childhood days in south Alabama. The plant was ubiquitous and could be found along roadsides, in open fields, briar patches and just about everywhere else. It stood about 2-3 feet high with light green leaves and stalk, yellow flowers running all along the upper stalk and little 1-2 inch long seed pods. We used to like to compress the pods between our thumb and forefinger and make a moderately loud “pop” when the pod burst. Can anyone tell me the name of this plant. I have never heard it called by any particular name.
I have those flowers growing at my house. I planted them by seed that I bought at the store. The flower was called Balsam. I discovered the flower when I planted a packet called Shady Mix. Technically, balsams are annual in Wisconsin, but if you leave the soil alone in the spring, they will come up again. They are late sprouters in Wisconsin, but if you give them time, they are quite prolific. I just let them reseed themselves every year and give them away to fellow gardeners.
I have these “Touch me not” flowers growing around my pool and in my flower beds. I got them from my mother-in-law years ago and they just continue to reproduce and spread everywhere!
Where can we find them ? I would love to add them to my garden. They bring back such good memories.
You should be able to find them at your local garden center.
I love these, and haven’t been able to find them anywhere! I had NO idea what they were. They’ve been reseeding in my year for around 10 years, but this year I only got one plant. I’m thrilled b/c now I’ll try to track them down! Thanks!
i love this beautiful plant n have lots of these plants that r now done for the season but i have collected the seeds..light pink,purple n salmon.n mixed..
Balsam. I used to play with them when I was a kid. They are Balsam Seeds.
My mother had a flower that was a deep orange/burgundy color and smelled almost like oranges…I have no idea what it’s called? the bloom looked almost like a mini mum…
Hi Michele,
The flower you’re describing sounds like West Indian Jasmine to me. They have a sweet citrus scent and come in a deep orange color.
Thank you, yep, thats the flower in question
My grandmother had these also…she called them sultanas