Pansies

By Judy Miller April 23, 2003 – Posted in: Plant info

Oh, I love pansies. I have been on a quest the past few years to find the hardiest varieties available as they used to be more reliable to overwinter. Turns out the majority of pansy breeding is now done in Japan which is mild by Idaho standards but Stokes and some others still produce some varieties which over winter well here. This year I am trialling several more too. I usually sow them in March if it is just for me but to grow for market I sow them in January; my crop is only now budding a bit and the first Market is Saturday! Aiee!

About the Author

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4b/5aLocation: rural; just south of British Columbia/Idaho borderGeographic type: foot of Black & Clifty Mountains (foothills of Rockies–the Wet Columbia Mountains in BC climate- speak)Soil type:acid sand (glacial lake bed)/coniferous forestExperience level: intermediate/professionalParticular interests: fragrant & edible plants, hardy bulbs, cottage gardening, alpines, peonies, penstemons & other blue flowers, primulas, antique & species roses & iris; nocturnal flowers Also: owner of Paradise Gardens Rare Plant Nursery

Pansies 2

‘As Kingfishers Catch Fire’

In the end, this may be the most important thing about frost: Frost slows us down. In spring, it tempers our eagerness. In fall, it brings closure and rest. In our gotta-go world–where every nanosecond seems to count–slowness can be a great gift. So rather than see Jack Frost as an adversary, you could choose to greet him as a friend.

~Philip Harnden in A Gardener’s Guide to Frost: Outwit the Weather and Extend the Spring and Fall Seasons

Comments on this entry are closed.