Pansies are garden flowers grown in cool-season beds. They were bred from wild violets, especially the European wild pansy, and come in many color patterns. Some have a dark central blotch that gives the flower a face-like look.
Appearance
Appearance
Five rounded petals form a broad, face-like flower. Flowers range from solid colors to two or three colors, often with a dark central blotch.
Growth form
Plants usually make low mounds about 4–10 in (10–25 cm) tall.
Flowering time
In much of the United States, it flowers in cool spring and fall weather. In Florida, gardeners can grow it for winter color.
Its flowers are usually smaller, often under 1 in (2.5 cm) across, and commonly show violet, white, and yellow. Garden pansies often have much larger flowers, but small cultivars can overlap.
Look for heart-shaped leaves rising from the base and single purple or white flowers on separate stalks. A pansy forms a garden mound with larger flowers in a much wider range of colors.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
Garden beds
Containers
Window boxes
Range
It is planted throughout the United States; it is not native to North America.
Preferred conditions
In the Midwest, it does best in cool spring and fall weather with sun to part sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Growing it
Care
Hot weather can shorten its display. Choose a partly sunny spot when temperatures rise and keep the soil moist.
Propagation
Pansies are usually raised from seed, and many named cultivars are sold as bedding plants.
Name and classification
About the name
The name pansy is also used for the smaller wild pansy (Viola tricolor). Garden pansies here belong to the cultivated hybrid Viola × wittrockiana.
Varieties and forms
Cultivars differ in flower size, color, and whether a dark face-like blotch is present.