PERKY PANSIES

The Pansy is an essential component in every winter garden. Their cheerful and perky little faces brighten the dullest of winter gardens and will undoubtedly put a smile on your face.

Viola wittrockiana, aka Pansy, is a result of cross breeding various Viola species. Pansies are the larger and more popular cousin of the commonly known Viola. Used mainly as an annual, they are the most recognisable and popular of all the winter flowering seedlings.

The blotch markings in the centre of the Pansy flower, appear to be face like. It is therefore easy to understand why the word “Pansy” is derived from the French word pensée, meaning “thought”.

The plant matures at about 10-12cm in height and width. The foliage is a healthy, mid-green in colour with serrated leaves shaped like an oblong heart. The flower stems rise a further 4-6cm above the leaves and each stem bears one flower. The flower is comprised of five petals. There are two slightly overlapping petals at the top. Two petals either side, like cheeks, and one broad, lower petal which looks like a chin. Flower size can vary from mini (5cm), to the most common medium-large size (6-7cm), and finally to the extra-large size (8-9cm). The available colours and variations are too numerous to mention. It is without a doubt you will find the colour you desire. Reds, Blues, Pinks, Purples, Yellows, Oranges, White – all except green.

Pansies are hardy plants and withstand frost quite easily. Early in the morning, after a frost, the plant will be frozen stiff. By mid morning the plant will have thawed and the flower will be bobbing in the breeze. Pansies like full winter sun and afternoon shade in the summer months. These plants will not do well in hot and humid conditions.  You will notice that as the summer temperatures increase, the plants will become leggy and straggly. This is your cue to remove them.

Although commonly planted in flower beds, it has to be said that Pansies are extremely versatile and are widely used in pots of all sizes, either on their own or mixed with other winter flowering seedlings. Hanging baskets are another popular way to display these happy plants. Most Pansies have an upright and mounding habit but you can find trailing varieties which spill over the edges of hanging baskets and create quite a spectacle. The flower size on these trailing varieties tends to be quite a bit smaller than your standard Pansy.

Plant your Pansy seedlings in well composted soil. Space them at least 15cm apart. Do not crowd Pansies; they require movement of air to prevent disease. Until the seedlings have established it is important that they are watered regularly. Feeding once a month with a water soluble fertilizer is more than sufficient. Too much food and they become gangly and unattractive. To ensure continuous blooming, dead head as frequently as possible. Your efforts will be rewarded.

Common pests of the Pansy are snails, slugs and aphids. All are easy to manage with advice from your local nursery on product and method.

Experiment with colour this winter. The palette of the Pansy is so extensive you can create a Monet in your own backyard.

Happy gardening.

  

DID YOU KNOW: Pansy flowers are edible and make a wonderful addition to salads or used as a garnish.