Printable page

Anyone who thinks pansies are delicate little flowers is mistaken. They are some of the toughest flowers out there, able to take a beating all winter and then come out swinging with the first crack of spring.

Pansies are hybrids in the viola family. They're short-lived perennials, but most people treat them as annuals. It's best to plant them in the fall, so they can establish themselves and put out some flowers before winter arrives. Many times, pansies will flower through the winter, but a harsh winter will batter them. They can look pretty sad during the coldest of times, but they're just saving their energy, and at the first sign of warm weather they will come back to life. They will grow well through the spring, and eventually burn out with the heat of summer.

There are many varieties of pansies, with varying size, color, and hardiness. Small to medium sized varieties tend to overwinter better, but some of the newer large varieties are much hardier than they used to be. It's best to consult an expert in our garden center to find the best match for your garden.

As far as planting goes, there are a few things to consider. You'll want to make sure there is good drainage, but that the soil will retain some moisture. If your bed tends to be soggy, adding some sand might be a good idea. A layer of mulch on top of the soil will help retain moisture and insulate the roots. It also helps to consider where the sun is during the winter, which is to the south. If you wish to plant pansies for the winter along the north side of your house, give them some room, so they have a chance to get a little sunlight.

If you want to get really creative, you can plant your pansies on top of spring flowering bulbs, leaving you a nice, multicolored display when spring comes around. You can also plant different varieties of pansies together to mix up the colors, or plant large swaths of the same variety for block of vibrant color in the spring. Plant them 6-8" apart to give them some room to grow, and remove spent flowers to encourage new ones. Enjoy!