Once you plant your pansies or violas you will need to try to keep them blooming as long as you can. Just remember that once the temperature gets into the upper 70s and 80s they will probably fade and flower no more.
Cultivation
If you leave the plants in soil all summer there is a chance they could bloom in the fall. Make sure they are in partial shade during the summer or even full shade to protect them from the sun. You can fertilize your plants all through the summer but be sure not to burn them with it. Give them a little dry fertilizer (10-10-10) and make sure you scratch it into the soil around them and water well. Or you can use a liquid fertilizer that is slightly higher in nitrogen.
Pests and Diseases
If you plant your plants close together they run the risk of getting a disease or being attacked by pests. Root rot begins as yellowed leaves then the plant doesn’t grow or bloom. Leaf spot will manifest itself with red, brown or yellow spots on the leaves. Mildew can strike leaves with powdery white deposits on the leaves. This is usually caused by packing too many plants in one place as they need adequate air circulation. Check plants frequently during humid weather for the first signs of disease and avoid over watering.
Aphids can attack pansies and violas. These are tiny insects that cluster together on leaves and stems. They suck the juices from the plant. Spider mites cause the plant to turn yellow and wilt. Slugs will feed on stems and leaves that are close to the ground at night. Aphids and spider mites can be thwarted by an insecticidal soap that can be purchased at the nursery. Deter slugs by sprinkling construction sand around each plant. Slugs don’t like going over sand as it is sharp.
Varieties
Small or Multiflora types have a bloom up to 2 inches in diameter
- Johnnie-Jump-ups are a popular variety. “Helen Mount” is one of the most popular with small ¾ inch diameter flowers in purple, lavender, and yellow.
- The Crystal Bowl series are all clear colors without a face and come in 11 colors. These small plants do not sprawl all over the garden so they are perfect for container gardens.
- The Maxim series has 14 colors and their flowers do have faces. They are very compact plants again, good for containers. Maxims have some heat tolerance.
- The Universal series are prolific bloomers in 13 colors.
Medium types have a bloom from 2 to 3 inches in diameter.
- The Crown Series are one color with no faces in 9 colors. They come in pastels and spring colors and flower early.
- The Imperial Series has mostly faced blooms and include the blue and pink shades that are unusual.
- The Joker Series have velvety purple flowers with orange faces. This one can grow up to 8 inches wide so leave a lot of room for it to spread.
- The Roc Series has 9 colors with or without a face and the Springtime Series has a whopping 17 colors and are somewhat heat tolerate.
Large varieties have a bloom from 3 to 4 inches in diameter, sometimes bigger.
- The Accord Series is relatively new being introduced in 1992. Blooms are on short stems with 8 colors both faced and clear.
- The Lyric Series has 5 colors with faces and blooms well.
- The Majestic Giant Series has been around for a long time and stands up to heat with a 6 color mix with faces.
- The Medallion Series has extra big flowers in 6 colors with faces.
- The Swiss Giants could have been grown in your grandmother’s garden with large flowers on long stems.
There are hundreds more varieties, too many to mention most are available in a mixture in garden centers everywhere during the spring and sometimes in the fall. Purchase a basket of them and usher in spring with a profusion of color and whimsy.
Be of great courage and try some recipes using pansies. Your recipes will certainly be a great conversation pieces for spring parties and potlucks
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