It could be the soil is not fertile enough. You might want to try some pellet fertilizer on them, I personally like Dynamite. They say theirs is better for the environment and my plants really seem to respond.

Hi,

I too am having the same problem. Last year I planted impatiens under my tree and they bloomed like crazy. This year however, my impatiens did not do so great. The only possible thing I can think of is that the tree is taking in most of the water. I noticed new shoots at the base of my tree, something I didnt have last year. Last year I had only a few shoots, but this year I have so much. To top it off, last years shoots are now 8' tall. Because of this, my flowers got very little light and every time I water, the roots of the tree have been benefiting from it leaving the impatiens with no water or sun. I fertalized too...again..the impatiens did not bloom like it could. The tree however is out of control. Next year I will need a new spot for my flowers.

Thanks MrImpatiens! I will try that....I was wondering also if it might be the ground condition. I love the way they look when they are doing well! My container plants are doing so wonderfully that I had to cut them back quite a bit!

I feel it is all about water.

Just looking around my neighborhood year after year...
good rain - good impatiens, guys who water there lawns and gardens incessantly: good impatiens.
water well, nevery let soil dry out, feed once a month

I was worried I was watering too much.....I'm growing mushrooms there as well!

I took a picture of them today, just wish I knew how to get them on here!

Imps are very sensitive to lack of water - losing leaves is a survival technique for them when they don't have enough water - drop the leaves and save the plant. A tree will suck up all the water too. I'd water more - and fertilize.

I've found spider mites the most common cause of Impatiens losing their leaves.