The Power of Pansies

Join Freddie to find out what’s new and trending in the world of bedding plants. These Flowering Favourites are available this month at garden centres countrywide ready to be planted in your garden or in a pot.

It’s time to plant pansies in the garden, in pots, and anywhere there is an empty bit of space.

Why grow pansies?

Apart from being pretty little flowers, pansies have the following characteristics:

• Long flowering season: Plant pansies anytime from autumn, winter and into spring and they will last for months on end, flowering the whole time. They will even flower through to November.
• Value for money: The flower power of these little toughies is super value for money.
• Lots to choose from: The number of varieties on the market is enormous with more being added all the time. You can find just about any colour and colour combination that catches your eye in a pansy.
• Easy to grow: just plant correctly, with the occasional deadheading, and you can leave them be for the rest of the season.

What they need

• At least 4 hours of full sun a day.
• Well-draining rich soil enhanced with plenty of compost and a handful of organic fertiliser per square meter. For containers, enhance commercial potting soil with added compost and organic fertiliser.
• Regular water, although winter pansies can do with a little less water.
• Feed them once a month with a balanced liquid fertiliser to keep them looking at their best.
• Regular deadheading to keep them flowering.
• Add a thick layer of organic mulch around them to keep in moisture and discourage weeds.

Varieties

‘Matrix’ – a heat-tolerant pansy and one of the earliest to bloom with large flowers on short stems.

‘Punch’ – large blooms in a range of stunning colours, from cool blues to stunning yellows.

‘Prima Punch’ – superior plants in unique colours. Uniform large blooms.

‘Power’ – Extra-large flowers with eye catching colours, a compact habit and heat-tolerant.

‘Premier’ – an all-rounder in all colours from broody to light and airy for every corner of the garden

‘Magnum’ – big flowers in pretty colours. A reliable non-stretching variety. ‘Inspire’ – extra-large blooms on a compact, neat plant. A range of lovely colours.

Violas for shade

The smaller flower on the viola cousins is just as pretty and can tolerate a bit more shade. They make lovely cake decorations and can be thrown into salads for a bit of colour.

Brought to you by the Bedding Plant Growers Association (BPGA)

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