A Guide to Pansies & Violas: when to plant and how to care for them

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If you’re wondering when the best time to plant pansies and violas is, you’ll want to aim for September and October. Planting in early fall allows these beautiful, hardy flowers to establish themselves before the winter cold sets in. By giving them a head start in warm soil, you’re setting the stage for a healthy root system that will help the plants thrive when Spring comes.

Why Plant Pansies and Violas in Fall?

When you plant pansies and violas in early fall, their roots have ample time to grow and stabilize in your garden beds. By the time December arrives with its colder temperatures, your plants will already be rooted deeply in the soil. This established root system helps protect them from winter damage and ensures a healthier plant come spring.

Once winter passes and temperatures start to rise, especially on sunny winter days and through February and March, you’ll start to see the pansies and violas burst with color. You may walk outside one day to find your plants have doubled in size overnight, with blooms spread all over. This spectacular growth is the result of fall planting, and it’s one of the reasons pansies and violas are beloved as cool-season flowers.

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How to Care for Pansies and Violas

To get the most out of your pansies and violas, follow these tips for watering and care:

1. Plant in Full Sun: Pansies and violas do best in full sun, meaning ideally 6+ hours of sun each day.
   
   
2. Consistent Watering: When you first plant pansies and violas, make sure to keep the soil consistently moist. Water them every two to three days if rain is scarce, as the initial root mass is small and needs regular hydration to spread into the surrounding soil.
   
   
3. Avoid Overwatering: If you notice water pooling in the bed, give the soil time to dry out before your next watering. Once established, pansies and violas will need watering about twice a week, continuing through winter.
   
   
4. Winter Watering: Many gardeners forget to water pansies and violas in winter, especially since irrigation systems are often turned off or the soil may appear frozen. However, it’s essential to keep the soil moist even in cooler months, as dry roots can lead to freeze damage. This is particularly crucial for container plants, as they are more vulnerable to drying out.
   
   
5. Protection Against Freeze: Before a hard freeze, give your pansies and violas a good soak. Moist soil can actually help insulate the roots, preventing freeze damage and keeping them healthy through the coldest months.
   
   
6. Mulch:  In order to give your pansies and violas the best chance of winter survival it is best to add a layer of mulch around them. Any mulch will do - pine bark, cedar, and cottonseed hulls are all great. Carefully tuck the mulch around the plants after you plant them and even pat the mulch a bit to eliminate big airspaces.
   
   
7. Feed:  Since Pansies and Violas actively grow over the winter they need some extra food. The easiest way to feed them is by adding a slow release fertilizer when you plant. Sprinkle Osmocote in each hole as you plant or top-dress after you are finished. One application at planting will feed them all the way through winter. Top dress again in March as temps rise to get a big color pop in Spring.

Make sure to water them and feed them and tuck them into bed!

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A Unique Way to Plant: Interplanting Pansies and Violas with Bulbs

For a stunning spring display, consider interplanting pansies and violas with spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Here’s how:

1. Prepare the Bed: Begin by tilling the soil and planting your bulbs about 4 to 6 inches deep, spacing them 6 to 12 inches apart based on the density you desire.
   
   
2. Cover and Plant: Once the bulbs are planted, cover them with soil and plant your pansies and violas over the top. These flowers only need to be planted 4 to 6 inches deep, so they’ll sit above the bulbs without disturbing them.
   
   
3. Spring Surprise: When spring arrives, the established pansies and violas will provide a lush ground cover of color, and your bulbs will emerge and bloom above them, creating a layered and eye-catching landscape. For an added visual effect, coordinate your colors between the pansies, violas, and bulbs for a professionally designed look that will have passersby stopping to admire.

Why Choose Pansies and Violas for Fall Planting?

Pansies and violas are excellent choices for cool-season color, as they thrive in cooler weather and can withstand even the hard freezes in Winter. Their cold-hardy nature and long blooming season make them ideal for fall planting. By following these steps for proper planting and care, you’ll enjoy a garden bursting with vibrant color from fall through spring.

For expert advice, quality plants, and the tools you need for a successful garden, visit us at Westwood Gardens. Happy planting!