About pansies
My first memory of pansies are the hundreds my grandfather grew in mass in his sprawling flower garden.
His were a deep, velvet purple with yellow centers. Although I enjoyed the many other flowers and
plants my grandfather lovingly tended, it's the pansies that remain the most memorable 30 years later.
Varieties and colors
Violas, pansies, and violets are all perrenials belonging to the genus Viola. However, pansies and violas are
treated as annuals in mild-winter areas. They are useful when planted for winter and spring color in mild regions,
from spring through summer in cooler areas. Flowers are 2-4 inches across and they come in many colors:
white, blue, mahogany red, rose, yellow, apricot, purple; also bi-colors.
Pansies grow to about 8 inches high and petals are often striped or blotched. A favorite of mine is the variety
called "Rally." They are a deep purple and white with a yellow center. I also enjoy the violas called "Johnny
Jump-Ups." The have much smaller flowers than pansies, but they bloom profusely.
Planting and care
Pansies will brighten your garden from early spring until summer's heat arrives. In milder areas that aren't
prone to frost, you can grow them during the winter. Sow seeds in late summer; set out plants in autumn
for winter and spring bloom. In colder areas, sow seeds indoors in January and February and set plants out
in spring when danger of frost has passed Although they can be grown from seed, I prefer to buy mine in
six-packs at the nursery rather than deal with the microscopic seeds.
Pansies prefer rich, moist soil and part shade and do best if they get at least a half-day of sun. They also tend to
get leggy, so pinch the tips and fading blooms off to encourage new growth.This really works!
Uses
Pansies look great planted in containers, or grown in mass at the front of a flower border.
I plant several pots
with them and group the pots together on my porch. They can also be picked for mini bouquets for display
in your home. After cutting my pansies, I place them in miniature flower vases on my kitchen window
and in my bathroom. Change the vase water each day and the pansy bouquet will last 3-4 days. Like
nasturtiums, they are edible and are often used to enhance salad greens.
Pansies make ideal pressed flowers too. Pick them when they are fresh, cut off the stems, and carefully place
each flower between the pages of a large book or in a flower press. After two weeks, you can use the dried
pansies to make a greeting card or floral wall hanging.