Are Pansy Flowers Good in the Sun?

Picking the right pansies to plant may prove a challenge with such a diverse selection.

Pansies are a favorite spring flower. Cultivators are continuously developing new colors and combinations with cross-breeding in search of greater variations. Some new pansy varieties include Accord, Joker and Majestic Giant that produce more blooms in full sun. This low-maintenance, spring flower shows up early in garden stores and markets, but picking the right ones to plant may prove a challenge with such a diverse selection.

Full Sun or Light Shade

Pansies grow well in full sun and in dappled shade or semi-shade. In areas that have cool spring and summer weather, place pansies in a sunny spot or in partial shade. In areas that get hot quickly, prolong the bloom time of your pansies by planting them in an area where they get dappled shade throughout the day or full afternoon shade. Pansies are ideal for an early spring window box or planter where they will get full sun all day.

Climate Considerations

Pansies grow best in cool, damp weather. The blooms add color early to the garden and fade as the weather warms up in the summer. Plant pansies in a sunny border area around the flowerbed, or scatter them throughout the vegetable garden to add early color. Pansies grow well in the dappled shade of landscape shrubs and taller perennials. Planted in containers, pansies dress up a window or a patio with their sunny blooms.

Spring or Fall Planting

Spring is the best time to plant pansies. Select young healthy plants and transplant them directly into a sunny garden area. Wait until the soil has thawed and the temperatures are consistently above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This method of planting gives you instant color as the plants are often already in bloom when sold. An alternate method is to plant in the fall. Plant them out into the garden in fall four to six weeks before winter frosts arrive. Mulch the pansies with 4 to 6 inches of thick straw for the winter.

Starting Seeds

Pansies grow quickly and reliably from seed. Use good quality seed compost and scatter the seeds liberally over the planting tray. Cover the pansy seeds with one-quarter inch of soil. Keep them at 65 degrees Fahrenheit in an area that gets bright indirect light until they germinate. Start seeds in the winter, around January or February to have the young plants ready for spring planting. When you move them outside, place the seedlings in dappled shade for one or two days before planting them out in a sunny area.

References

• Plants for a Future Database: Viola x Wittrockiana
• Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Growing Pansies
• Missouri Botanical Gardens: Viola x Wittrockiana