| Do pansies blossom all summer or are they just for spring and fall? |
| Pansies lose their vigor in the heat and humidity of summer and show off their best in spring and fall. However, with careful planning they can often be encouraged to "summer over" as well as occasionally "winter over." It's the kind of challenge many gardeners enjoy, seeing the pansies come out of their summer rest and flourishing again, or actually flowering in late winter before many garden centers are even carrying them yet! The trick is location. To survive the heat/cold plant them in spring in a protected area, such as at the edge of the house or under a shrub. Once established, mulch them well. When they fizzle in summer, don't disturb them, but do keep them well watered. When the weather cools down in fall, they will likely raise their heads again with gratitude and blooms! When they slow down their fall bloom, again be sure they are mulched and then don't be surprised if they greet you again in early spring...especially if the winter has been mild. You can even let some set seed, which should germinate early in the spring. The challenge of successful repeat blooms is as enjoyable as the blooms themselves! |
| While not so large and glamorous as Pansies, there are now gorgeous Violas that do bloom all season, if deadheads are regularly removed (leaving a few for seeding next years color. Have all season violas, now mixed beauties, in planter boxes on my deck--for 3 years, with no new plants. And such fun waiting for the favorite colors, sizes and must remove 100s of seedlings (give-aways), to thin, is major importance and pleasure for others! |
| I have had both pansies and violas winter over even in unprotected hanging baskets and the little guys and girls came back for me in the spring. We rarely get below freezing here in western Oregon and the Willamette valley. |
