The first time most beginning gardeners hear of pansies and that you can plant them in the Fall to grow and bloom through Winter and into Spring they can't believe it. People can't understand how a flowering annual plant that looks as tender as a pansy can withstand the cold.

Pansies are winter wonders. In regions where winters are colder, and there's just not much one can do to color up the landscape, pansies are one of a few if not the only flowering annual that will not only survive the winter but bloom through it as well! Severe cold might wither individual blooms, however, during warmer days of winter the plants will continue to produce buds. In ealrly Spring pansies go absolutely wild producing flowers that literally cover the foliage.

Pansies come in a wide variety of colors and bloom types and sizes. Some are bicolor; have faces (blotches), while others are solid in color. Some produce smaller but more blooms while others, such as the majestic Giants, produce exceptionally large blooms. While yellow, white and purple are traditionally the most popular colors modern hybridizing has expanded the color array to cover nearly every shade in the book of colors. Pastel shades of pink, peach, lavendar and rose are also available now, and oranges as well as many vivid bicolors.

Pansies are edible...yes, this means you can eat them! Try mixing the flowers in a salad for a colorful and tasty addition. Some varieties have a pleasant scent as well. They're a non-toxic plant that are child and pet safe. Yes, pansies have a lovely scent, and they are also edible! Unlike some winter blooming plants.

Where to Find Pansies

If you live in an area where pansies will grow, most well-stocked local nursery and garden centers will carry a large selection of pansy varieties in cell-pack or 4" pot containers. There are online sources for seeds if you like starting your own plants indoors.

Where to Plant Pansies

When determining where you will plant your pansies look for a location that provides plenty of sunshine. If you plant them near the house do so on the side that gets the most warmth from the sun. Under trees is okay as long as they are deciduous trees (lose their leaves during winter) that allow the sun to shine through bare branches.