Question
I live in Chicago (sorry, don't know the zone) and I plant impatiens every year in the same spot.  The area I plant them is a large, raised bed in a mostly shady spot (maybe 3 hours of morning sun).  I cover them with mulch after planting and water regularly.  The first year they grew beautifully, but each subsequent year they get scrawnier and scrawnier.  I've tried different varieties each year but to no avail.  Do I need to rotate what I plant there?  Do I need to replenish nutrients in the soil?  They share the bed with euonymous, a corneman cherry bush/tree, and some yew.  Thanks.

Answer
Kelly, your soil is most likely depleted of nutrients. Impatiens require a high ratio of phosphorus for good growth. Your best option is to amend the soil with organic matter such as peat moss, manure, and compost. You also will need to avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, as these tend to cause lush foliage but very few blooms.

As with all plants, it is always a good idea to rotate the plants to a new part of the bed every 2-3 years to avoid disease and other problems. But in your case, if you replenish the soil and mulch the plants with straw or shredded leaves to retain moisture, you should have much better success this season.

Good luck.

Mike