Pansies pack expressive, face-like markings into every bloom, thriving in the cool weather of early spring and fall when many other flowers have yet to appear or have already finished.
Bred from wild violas, pansies have become one of the most popular cool-season bedding plants, valued for their charming appearance and genuine cold tolerance. Many varieties can survive a light frost, sometimes even blooming through a dusting of snow.
Pansy symbolizes thoughtful remembrance, its name derived from the French "pensée," meaning thought, and it's long been given as a gesture of "thinking of you."
Pansies want cool weather and full sun to partial shade, tending to fade or stop blooming once summer heat arrives. Planting in early spring or fall, in well-draining soil, gives the longest and most reliable bloom window for this cheerful, cold-hardy annual.
Pansy flowers are edible and popularly used as a mild-flavored, colorful garnish on cakes and salads, and the plant has a minor history of use in traditional folk remedies for skin conditions.
