Why Hit a Flower When It's Down? Reader Comments on Impatiens A selection of comments from readers of the Home section, drawn from letters and postings at nytimes.com, about Anne Raver's article on a mysterious strain of downy mold killing one of the home gardener's favorite annual flowers, Impatiens walleriana. Béatrice de Géa for The New York Times Dumpling planters overflowing with impatiens, a breed of flower beloved by the home gardener. Re "A Mold Devastates Impatiens" by Anne Raver (April 18): I could hardly believe her supercilious comments about the flower Impatiens walleriana, "a plant I love to hate," and the people who find them attractive. Isn't it enough that the poor flowers are now suffering from a possibly terminal case of downy mildew? Ms. Raver's human victim in the article was Tom Hall, who is grieving their loss and whom she advises, "So find yourself a new love, Mr. Hall, and soldier on." She reminded me of Truman Capote and his similarly withering comments about poinsettias, which he called the Robert Goulet of botany, seemingly in reference to the popular singer's appeal to sentiment. Since I love both species, I suppose Ms. Raver and Mr. Capote would see me as being utterly tasteless and unworthy of notice. Diana Burgwyn Philadelphia Incredibly, this is the second time I feel impelled to write to The Times in defense of impatiens. Years ago, I wrote a letter of outrage after The Times Magazine published a demeaning article by Michael Pollan in which he wrote about impatiens being a gas station plant. Now we have an article by Anne Raver, who strikes me as the last person to write this piece about a generous, giving, colorful little plant that is now in serious jeopardy. Her disparaging comments seem oddly smug about a plant that is so beloved of home gardeners everywhere Constance Lowe Baiting Hollow, N.Y. Horticultural snobbery is the subtext of this article concerning the devastation of the democratic, abundant, ever-blooming impatiens. Self-defined sophisticated gardeners have long disparaged this generous immigrant flower that was too simple to grow and too easily transformed landscapes into breathtaking vistas of beauty. "Maybe nature is doing us a favor," Ms. Raver writes. By forcing the uninitiated to join elitist, sophisticated Compleat Gardeners and learn complicated, studied flower cultivation and garden landscaping? The impatiens was a joyful revelation to my sainted father, for whom digging in the garden was a way of life. No matter what the horticultural aristocrats think, it's the people's flower. May a cure or hybrid bring it back soon. Tom Murphy Staten Island, N.Y. While I'm glad to finally know what happened to all my impatiens last year, Ms. Raver's attitude toward those of us who are somewhat flower challenged seemed not just a little mean. She seemed almost to be gloating over the loss of impatiens. I happen to love them, and I also happen to think they're prettier than most other flowers. I don't appreciate her snide attitude. I'll miss them. Her, I won't read again. I don't need her negative arrogance. Alice Suhl High Falls, N.Y.