analysis: landscaping (annual flowers) –      Pansy

What to know about the hardy pansy –

Notes:

• About pansies:

  The garden pansy is a petal flower with a 2 to 3 inch diameter. The flower comes in a wide range of colors and bicolors including yellow, gold, orange, purple, violet, red, white, and even near-black (very dark purple).

• Pansies are perennial, but normally grown as biennials or annuals because of their leggy growth. The first year plant produces greenery, and bears flowers and seeds in its second year of growth. Afterwards, the plant dies like an annual.
• Pansies are winter hardy in zones 4–8. They can survive light freezes and short periods of snow cover. In warmer climates, zones 9-11, pansies can bloom over the winter, and are often planted in the fall. In warmer zones, pansies may re-seed themselves and return the next year.
• Pansies are not heat-tolerant; warm temperatures inhibit blooming and hot muggy air causes rot and death. In colder zones, pansies may not survive without snow cover or protection (mulch) from extreme cold or periods of freezing and thawing.
• They perform best in zones with moderate temperatures with equal amounts of mild rainfall and sunshine.
• REFERENCE: information lifted from wikipedia
  INFO: the pansy flower: its meaning & symbolism

• Where to grow:

  Pansies do not survice in hot, humid climates. They do best in temperate climates with moderate temperatures and rainfall. They prefer the cool morning sun during the summer months – so it’s best not to plant them where they are exposed to summer heat.

• In warmer zones, pansies are usually planted in the late fall as a winter/spring flower. Pansies can survive light frosts and will bloom winter long and into the spring up until the summer heat.
• Pansies are also great for container planting. You can move the pansies around during the seasons to give it full afternoon sun in the early spring, fall and winter and then moved to the morning sun during the summer.
• INFO: how to plant, grow, and care for pansies
  INFO: how much cold can pansies take?

• Garden Planning:

  pansies are low to medium height growing plant. They can be used as border plants in beds, around mail boxes and in containers. They do best in cooler climates with moderate sun and rainfall.

• Many professional gardeners in warmer climates will plant the pansy in the fall for winter and early spring display. They will survive winter colds with light frosts and provide color during the cold season. But they are generally replaced in the spring with a more hardy summer flower.
• INFO: pansy garden ideas
  INFO: companion plants for pansies
  INFO: how to plant and care for pansy flowers

• Care and Harvesting:

  It is advised to deadhead the flower to prolong blooming. But as your near the end of growth season, let the flower grow to maturity for seeding harvesting. You can collect, dry and store the seed for planting and sowing in the early spring once frost has passed.

• The entire pansy plant is edible – in fact, it is one of the most edible plants for its flavor and color – they have a fresh, spicy, lettuce-like flavor. They are often used in salads for its flavor and on desserts for its color.
• INFO: how to save viola and pansy flower seeds
  INFO: planting pansy seeds!
  INFO: pansy salad

• Summary:

  Light:  part sun, sun
  Soil:  loamy
  Height:  under 6 inches, 6-12 inches
  Width:  4-12 inches
  Flower:  blue, red, purple, white, pink, yellow, orange
  Foliage:  blue/green
  Season:  spring blooms, fall blooms
  Features:  low maintenance, good for containers, attracts butterflies
  Benefits:  deer resistant, drought tolerant
  Propagation:  seed
  Zones:  2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
  INFO: view growing zones
• What comments can you share?