outdoors
PLANTINGS
ANNUAL OR
BIENNIAL, PLANT IN
SPRING OR FALL
W A T E R
H E IG H T
S U N
Pansies and
violas
Viola
hybrids
4 4 4 6
4 -8
• # # *
Pansies
m a y
b e th e m o s tv e rs a tile
g a rd e n a n n u a ls .
Few others
can match the array o f colors and
patterns o f these cheerful plants.
Add in their ability to thrive in chilly
weather and do equally w ell in beds
and containers, and you can see w hy
they are among the most useful, and
loved, flowers.
Pansies share the genus
V iola
w ith
Johnny jumpups and related hybrids,
w hich are usually labeled simply “viola.”
These hybrids have smaller flowers but
perform sim ilarly in the garden.
In spring, you can plant pansies well
before the last frost for early flowers. In fall,
plant in September w hile days are still warm,
and you’ll enj oy color into November, if not longer.
Then let them overwinter. Well-established plants can
survive even in Zones
4
and
5
, and w ill bloom all
w inter in Zones
8
-
1 0
.
W hether fall- or spring-planted, pansies reach a
spectacular flow er peak in late spring. Then they’ll
become leggy in the first heat o f early summer, just
in tim e for you to remove and replace them w ith
heat-loving summer annuals such as impatiens,
coleus, and begonia.
POTTED PLEASURES
Pansies bring a jolt of
vibrant color to spring
pots. Make sure containers
get regular water, even in
cool weather.
ON THE EDGE
Pansies and violas are small,
so plant them along bed
and walkway edges, where
their vivid colors can be seen.
For greater impact, grow
them in masses or tight
groups of one or two colors,
rather than a mix of several.
COLORFUL FOOD
Though not very flavorful,
pansy flowers are edible.
Use fresh blooms to add
color to salads or to
garnish a plate. Don’t use
pest controls on pansies
you intend to eat.
114
MARCH
2010
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
