Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo is not only a friendly place to see animals, but is also a botanical hotspot right in the middle of the city. Artis’ mission, to inspire and encourage a broad public to deal with nature responsibly, matches with ‘SunPatiens’ – both contribute in their own ways to the conservation of biodiversity.
SunPatiens
SunPatiens has been giving back to nature since 2000, when Sakata Seed Corporation, the breeder of SunPatiens, reached an agreement with the Indonesian Government (IAARD) in relation to the botanical species of Impatiens from which SunPatiens is partly derived. SunPatiens is a hybrid Impatiens which, in contrast to standard ‘Bizzy Lizzies’, thrive in full sun and keep flowering three seasons long. The plants are resistant to downy mildew – a common enemy of Impatiens – and also easy-care, all they need is water.
Giving back to nature
The agreement that was reached between Sakata and Indonesia was a forerunner of the current Nagoya Protocol. This protocol determines rights and obligations for the countries that signed it. This means that for every SunPatiens plant that is sold, a contribution is made to Indonesia for local research into the maintenance of the biodiversity in that country.
Air purifying
A side-effect is that SunPatiens is beneficial for its immediate surroundings. Independent research has proved that SunPatiens absorbs nitrogen dioxide 3 to 4 times better than the average plant. Planting SunPatiens can therefore contribute to air purification. In countries with a warm climate, it has even been demonstrated that SunPatiens can contribute to air cooling.
SunPatiens in Artis
With SunPatiens, Artis adds a new plant species to the park, the SunPatiens can be admired in various sunny spots in the zoo this year. In addition, breeder Sakata supports Artis’ mission by adopting the Minangkabause house and an anoa. Both the authentic house and the little dwarf buffalo originate from Indonesia. Make sure to stop by at Sakata’s FlowerTrials and you might even win free entrance tickets to Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo.