If you want your flower garden to have color this winter, plant your pansies now. Photo Submitted.
By Anne Tunnessen, Master Gardener
When I moved to Georgia from the Northeast decades ago, I was amazed to see pansies thriving in winter gardens here. These tough annuals can survive freezing temperatures, with their foliage wilting and turning gray-green, only to bounce back and bloom days later when the weather warms again.
The modern pansy, Viola x wittrokiana, has been bred to include a wide variety of colors. Some have dark splotches in the center (so called “faced” pansies) while others have two tones. Some have flowers 4 inches in diameter and others have crinkled petals.
In our USDA Hardiness Zone of 8b, planting should be done from Oct. 15 to Nov. 1. Pansies are heat-sensitive, so don’t plant them too early; however, they need to establish roots before the soil temperature falls below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Planting too early can lead to leggy, yellow-foliaged plants that flower poorly and are more susceptible to freeze damage. Planting too late can result in stunted plants with pale leaves that flower poorly because the roots have trouble absorbing nutrients.
Choosing healthy plants is vital to having a beautiful pansy display.
Before purchase, inspect plants for insects and diseases, and make sure the crowns (the part of the plant above the soil) are compact and have deep green foliage. A healthy root system will show an abundance of white fibrous roots along the external portion of the root ball.
Siting your pansies properly and preparing their beds are key to success. Pansies need full sun and well-drained soil. Planting them in a container or an elevated bed is recommended.
If the bed previously had summer annuals, be sure to remove all parts of them to avoid potential spread of disease.
Add up to 25% new organic material in the form of compost or composted manure to improve the soil, its water and nutrient-retention ability. Practically, that means to work 3 inches of amendment into the top 12 inches of your flower bed soil.
Pansies prefer a soil pH of 5.4-5.8 to most effectively utilize nutrients. If you haven’t tested your soil, fall is a great time to do it. You can obtain the soil bags at your county extension office, where for a small testing fee, your soil sample can be sent to the University of Georgia.
Depending on the size of your pansies, plant them 6-10 inches apart. Planting 6 inches apart may make the planting look fuller but runs the risk of spider mites and diseases due to poor air circulation. Water thoroughly immediately after planting to eliminate air pockets around the roots, and use mulch to preserve moisture and protect the roots from temperature extremes.
Once you have planted your pansies, you will need to tend them to get best results. Fertilize them every two weeks through mid-March, using a liquid 15-2-20 high-nitrate pansy formula.
To avoid root problems, allow the soil to dry between waterings. Encourage more blooms and better growth by removing dead flowers (deadheading) and removing leggy branches.
Now sit back and enjoy the burst of color that pansies bring to your winter garden!
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