Wild pansies were found in Europe some time after the 4th century and believed to be related to violas. Many centuries later, plant breeders began crossing violas with these wild pansies. The word “pansy” comes from the French word “pensee“ meaning “think” or “remember.”
The viola family has more than 400 species. Interestingly enough, African Violets belong to the genus Saintpulia, not the Viola genus.
Violas, pansies, johnny jump-ups and sweet violets are very closely related and all are classified as belonging to the viola family.
Sweet violets, viola odorata, (or your common garden violets), grew wild in Europe and frequently were used as herbs. They symbolized love and fertility and were used to make love potions, as well as for medicinal and ornamental purposes. Wearing garlands of violets was believed to prevent headaches and dizziness.
The leaves of the pansy plant are oval- or heart-shaped, while the blossoms have five petals arranged in a circle. They may appear to be delicate, but pansies are quite hardy and because they are easy to grow and require little maintenance are very popular in today’s gardens.
Both children and adults love the “faces” on pansies. They come in a variety of colors: yellow, orange, blue, purple, burgundy, white and many variations. They love the cool weather, but not the heat of summer. In fact, they flower at exactly the opposite time as our summer-flowering annuals.
In autumn, when the evenings become cool, they will burst into full bloom. Fall-planted pansies will grow larger and produce more flowers than those that are planted in the spring because they have a better developed root system.
Winter Pansies are especially bred for cold climates and can survive harsh winters. Icicle Pansies are only available in the fall and love the cold weather.
When shopping at your local nursery look for bushy plants with plentiful buds and few blooms. These are the plants whose buds will produce the most flowers in your garden. Avoid droopy plants with long, lanky stems.
Winter Pansies are especially suitable for containers near the entry area or planted in the border along a driveway or patio. Plant in groups of all the same color for a striking mass effect.
Pansies may be planted in the ground or in a container, but make sure they have good drainage. If planted in the sun you can expect to have more flowers than if planted in a shady site.
Dig a hole that is an inch or two larger than the pot the pansy came in and mix in a slow-release fertilizer along with some compost or peat moss. Since pansies appreciate regular feedings, the addition of a slow-release fertilizer at planting time will eliminate future fertilizing needs.
You may need to tap the pot gently to help ease the plant out of its container. Tease the soil around the roots; place your pansy in the hole and water lightly. Space plants about 8 inches apart. You can expect your pansies to reach a height of 8 to 10 inches.
Pick off any dead flowers to prevent them from going to seed, which will cause them to stop blooming. Keep pansies moderately moist, but not soggy, watering when the soil dries out.
Planted in the fall, your pansies will keep blooming straight through the early weeks of winter when, during a freezing spell, they will go into a brief period of dormancy. The foliage may wilt and lose its vibrant green color but don’t despair, because as soon as the weather thaws out a bit, they will miraculously revive and even bloom on warm winter days.
As early spring approaches they will break out of their winter dormancy and begin to flower again. This is a good time to shear them back so they will appear neater and become bushier and bloom more profusely.
They are great companions to spring-flowering bulbs, where they can help conceal the leaves of the bulbs as they die back in early summer. Their cut flowers also are perfect for making small arrangements in your home during those cold winter months.
In addition to their beauty, pansies are edible, with blue and yellow flowers being the most dramatic additions to a dish. Not only are they safe to eat, they add a sweet, minty flavor. Before picking pansies to eat, make sure they have not been sprayed with pesticides. High in Vitamins C and A, they can be used to garnish salads, in fruit punches, fruit salads, as cake decorations or added to flavor honey and syrups. Pick pansies in the morning after the dew has dried, then rinse them off. For the best taste, remove the stamens and pistils.
Pressed pansies may be added to stationary or used in pressed flower pictures. Place a pansy with stem removed on a paper towel on a page of a book and cover with another paper towel. Close the book and weigh down with additional books, leaving for three to six weeks.
Pansies also can be dried in silica gel (available in craft stores) providing you and your children with hours of plant projects while the rest of the garden is sleeping. Pansy petals also may be added to potpourri and are useful in craftwork.
If you want to brighten up your garden this winter consider planting a few of the bright Winter Pansies in your landscape. It’s amazing how a few sunshiny yellow pansies bravely blooming in the cold can bring a smile to your face, spreading cheer to a dark and dreary season and promise of warmer days to come.
Gather fresh greens now for the holidays. It’s fun to make your own centerpieces, wreaths, swags, garlands and kissing balls and bring a touch of the outdoors into your home.
Lee Gugliada is past president of the Great Kills Garden Club and past director of First District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State.