Pansies are often underestimated as temporary plants, but they are actually half-hardy annuals, capable of blooming for two seasons. Over the years, plant breeders have made significant progress in enhancing their features. Today, pansies are not only larger flowered but also more long-lasting, heat tolerant, and cold tolerant.
To ensure a prolonged bloom span, there are a few things you can do. Plant your pansies where they receive morning sun but are shielded from the scorching afternoon heat. Regular deadheading, watering, fertilizing, and mulching will help them thrive. Additionally, don’t hesitate to pinch them back to encourage new growth. Pansies can withstand frost and even survive single-digit temperatures, bouncing back to bloom again.
When it comes to cold hardiness, ‘Bingo’ and ‘Nature’ are two of the most resilient pansy varieties. Heat can be a slight challenge. As night temperatures rise in summer, pansies may temporarily stop blossoming. However, with proper mulching and watering, they will rejuvenate and bloom again when the cooler fall temperatures arrive.
Fall is an ideal time to plant pansies. Consider pairing them with chrysanthemums, another fall favorite. Pansies will continue to bloom until the weather turns extremely cold. If properly mulched, they can survive the winter in many regions and be among the earliest to blossom in your spring garden. One hardy variety, ‘Four Seasons,’ successfully overwintered in New Hampshire. Undoubtedly, there are other robust pansy varieties available.
In southern locales, ‘Dynamite’ and ‘Springtime’ will bless you with winter blossoms.
Our Favorite Pansy Varieties
There is an incredible array of colors and combinations to choose from when it comes to pansies.
I have a soft spot for the classic “monkey face” pansies that my grandmother used to grow. To truly appreciate their beautiful faces, plant them in pots or window boxes where you can observe them up close.
However, pansies are not just pretty faces; some come in solid colors with no distinctive patterns.
Take, for example, ‘Ultima Morpho’ with its enchanting whiskered cat faces.
There are pansies with delicate ruffled edges like ‘Flirty Skirts’ and ‘Ballerina.’ If you’re searching for trailing pansies for hanging baskets, ‘Cool Wave’ and ‘Waterfall’ are excellent choices, capable of spreading up to two feet. On the other end of the spectrum, ‘Colossus’ boasts giant flowers measuring 3-4 inches across, while ‘Moulin Rouge’ features thick, stiff stems, perfect for cutting.
The antiques among pansies, such as ‘Panola’ and ‘Mariposa Peach,’ come in soft, watercolor shades. ‘Jolly Joker’ stands out with its vibrant purple and orange hues. And then, there are the unique ones that are completely black!
The name “pansy” originates from the French word “pensée,” meaning “thought,” referencing the blossom’s resemblance to a little frowning face deep in contemplation. Pansies have acquired numerous delightful nicknames, including heartsease, three-faces-under-a-hood, Cupid’s delight, love-in-idleness, and jump-up-and-kiss-me.
Interestingly, the Germans refer to this flower as “Stiefmutterchen,” seeing the unforgiving frown of a “little stepmother” rather than a thoughtful expression. Perhaps they have been influenced by Grimm Brothers’ tales a bit too much!
For more information on planting and growing pansies, visit the Almanac’s Pansies page.
