How to Plant and Care for Pansies and Violas

Pansies and violas are star performers that literally defy the cold weather and can be grown in flower beds, raised beds or containers – and they’re even edible! Learn how to plant and care for pansies and violas in this P. Allen Smith video:

Pansies and violas grow beautifully in southern parts of the country where it’s warmer in the winter, in California and Pacific coastal areas where temperaturas are moderated by the sea, or in the Deep South. They’ll start blooming in early fall and continue blooming throughout the winter and up to May. In northern areas, they’ll be planted in the spring and bloom from March through September if the temperatures remain cool. New varieties are becoming more and more cold tolerant, and there are also hybrid crosses called panolas.

Depending on the variety and placement in the garden, once temperatures drop into the teens, pansies and violas may start to experience damage to the blooms and buds; the plants can be lost altogether if the temperature drops to zero.

Pansies and violas can be grouped in a kaleidoscopic arrangement or as a collection of similar colors, and they can be mixed together. They can be planted in combination with tulips, spring flowering bulbs, spring flowering shrubs. When planting, put mulch around the base to protect the soil. Clip off any spent blooms.

Be aware that these flowers need care even during the winter; they need to be feed to ensure they maintain their rich color. Using a dilute solution of an all-purpose organic fertilizer is really all they need. For immediate feeding, use a liquid fertilizer or a granular organic. Don’t over-fertilize, however, as you will end up with all foliage instead of flowers.