Don’t you just love pansies? Their sweet faces, the many varieties, the colors, and the fragrance! Pansies have always been a favorite of mine. I love checking for new varieties online and then go hunting for them at garden centers or home centers.
One year I was in North Carolina visiting my brother and he took me to this little off the road nursery where I found some chocolate johnny jump ups! He watched in amusement as I loaded up six flats to take home to Virginia.
History
Somewhere in the mid-1880s was when pansies came into being. For several years pansies were all the rage for the Victorians. New varieties were developed; prices went over the top as the pansies were snatched up by those who wanted the newest and biggest of the flower. By the time the craze was settling down, 354 varieties were available. The pansy was grown to specific requirements in England and competed in shows.
Across the water in France, an Englishman had imported some and created numerous varieties that didn’t have to meet the strict standards set by the Victorians. When he returned to England, with pansies in gaudy colors and blotches of color on their petals, cottage gardeners fell in love with what they called “fancy” pansies. The Pansy came to America from Belgium in 1848 and was widely popular. Their popularity would wax and wane, all but dying out during The Wars. Several antique cultivars were lost during this time. But raising new cultivars soon was taken up by a new generation of breeders and today – there is a color and size for all.
Uses
Planting – along the edge of a garden bed, in flower pots, there are even some trailing varieties you can grow in hanging baskets.
Edible – all pansies and violas are edible, those with a fragrance with actually have a taste. Stronger the fragrance, stronger the taste. They have been used for decorating cakes, cookies and other foods. Either just from the plant or sugared. They will add flair to salads and have been used in ice cubes also. Please make sure if you want to try them that the plants you taste from are pesticide free!
Decorating – Dried pansies can be used for many craft projects.
Healing – back before the early 1900s, pansies were used by pharmacists’ for several ailments
- A blood-purifying agent for chronic skin complaints and rheumatism
- A diuretic and laxative
- To treat epilepsy, asthma
- Baby skin diseases
- Heart disease
Care
Most pansies are sold as starter plants, 4” or 6” containers. One can, if so inclined, grow them from seeds. I have never done so as I am a lackadaisical gardener and this is too much work for me! Never-the-less, pansies are available as seeds. If you buy seeds – follow the directions on the back of the packet…..and good luck!
Pansies are pretty easy to grow (one of the reasons I love them, the other reason being their faces!). They prefer cool temperatures and it is recommended you plant them in the fall so that you can have them for two seasons. The fall and the following spring. They are considered biennials, although in some areas are perennial.
Although pansies like to have moist soil, be careful of over-watering and causing rot. Feed them well and pinch back the stems to prevent them from getting leggy. Pansies also benefit from deadheading so they produce more flowers and don’t go to seed. Keep them mulched, especially going into winter.
