Pansy (Viola × wittrockiana)

Pansy is a small plant that generally does not exceed 30 cm in height (it is usually 15 to 25 cm in height).

They produce flowers that are about 6 cm in diameter, although there are cultivars with smaller flowers, 2 or 3 cm, and cultivars with larger flowers, approximately 10 cm in diameter.

Plant profile

Common name: Pansy
Scientific name: Viola × wittrockiana, Viola × wittrockiana
Plant type: Annual / Biennial
Height: 10cm - 50cm
Spread: 10cm - 50cm
Foliage: Evergreen
Flower color: Blue, Orange, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
Season of interest: Autumn, Spring, Winter
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Architectural, City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden, Patio & Container Garden
Planting type: Containers & Pots, Flower borders and bedding, Hanging baskets

Viola × wittrockiana (Pansy) grown in gardens today are mainly hybrids, resulting from the crossing of the species Viola tricolor with other species of the genus Viola. Currently there are a large number of cultivars, with flowers of many colors that form a large number of patterns, usually combining three colors, but also two-color, one or four colors combinations.

In places with a mild climate it is very easy to grow, and they are suitable for pots and borders, alone or in groups. It is a perfect plant to introduce young children in the gardening passion.

Viola × wittrockiana cultivars are derived from the cross-breeding of Viola altaica, Viola cornuta, Viola lutea and Viola tricolor producing more robust and larger plants.

Origin

Europe and Asia. Hybrids first appeared in England in the 19th century.

Climate

It prefers mild climate, with temperatures between 10ºC and 20ºC. It cannot stand high temperatures.

Sunlight

Plant in full sun although it can tolerate partial shade.

Watering

Pansies prefer a well drained moist soil. They don’t tolerate drought conditions.

Soil

Plant pansies in a fertile soil, rich in organic matter, well drained and moderately acidic, with a soil pH between 5.5 and 6. Plant in rows or groups with a spacing of 15cm to 30cm between plants.

Flowering season

It usually blooms in the fall and spring. It can maintain flowering in winter if the region has a mild winter. Flowering usually ceases in the hot summer months.

Cultivation cycle

Grown almost always as an annual and biennial, under proper cultivation conditions it can be a perennial plant.

Propagation

Propagation is very easy from seed, which should be sown superficially in the soil. Can be covered only with a thin layer of sieved soil. Germination usually takes one to four weeks. If sown in containers, transplant the seedlings when they have 6 to 8 real leaves.

Can also be propagated by dividing well-developed plants, although the plants obtained are rarely as vigorous as plants grown from seed.