I have been following along this discussion the last couple of weeks or so and mulling over thoughts that managed to pierce through the fog of fever dreams. This winter viral season is kicking my butt and the weather is too. I wish I had a globe to look at while tracking our individual experiences with pansies, violas and other self seeding plants in our climates. I wonder how much of our seed survival is related to the hybrid/non hybrid issues, the moisture, snow cover, weather vs. climate, manner of sowing or all the other influences on seedling survival rates. In my experience over the years I have found that non-hybridized versions (or as close as I can get) tend survive better if not thrive. Years ago I came across some so called antique variety of pansy seeds via mail order that managed to survive for several years before petering out. I have never had any other pansy variety manage, consider them strictly annuals here. The old fashioned JJ ups thrive, once in a great while one of the newer varieties will have a few stragglers into the next season opening but never make it all the way through. Old fashioned single hollyhocks thrive, doubles die, prairie cone flowers, the list goes on and on. This has consistently held up in seed grown plants...woody plants not at all. It seems like such a mystery.
