Winter Flowering Pansies

[Noirin]

Are wintering flowering pansies the same species as summer pansies but just planted at a different time of year? I've never seen pansy seed labelled as 'winter flowering pansy'.

[vicky]

Yes, they're the same!

[Noirin]

That's great thanks. Must make sure to have some ready for next winter.

[Two_Sheds]

I'm taking lots of cuttings of mine right now, should be ready for planting out in Jan

[lynda66]

my black ones have just started flowering, they are wonderful

[rustylady]

Yes, they're the same!

Sorry I disagree. Summer pansies do not seem to be hardy, but the winter (or spring) flowering ones survive the winter no problem.

[FionaH]

I got some as plug plants and they were definitely sold as "winter" pansies, distinct from summer ones. Possibly a cunning marketing ploy but I thought they were supposed to be hardier version.
Mine are now flowering and look lovely. Shame about the few I cooked in the greenhouse

[vicky]

They have a short lifespan (6 months or so) before they over exert themselves and get leggy, topple over and go mouldy! If you cut them back at this point (give a good feed) they will start all over again. You can get them to live for a year or so doing this. Or take cuttings/resow to renew. They really are the same thing!

[FionaH]

So I got conned into buying 160 tiny ickle pansies when I could have cut my perfectly good ones back???!!! AAAARGH

LOL oh well live and learn. Are they easy to take cuttings from ?

[Two_Sheds]

Are they easy to take cuttings from ?

couldn't be easier.
Just take a 3 inch stem, cut below leaf joint, remove all flowers, and all but the top few leaves.
Insert in compost, water (from below), label and place in a propagator of some sort (just a placcy bag over a pot is good enough). Heat isn't necessary.
Check for mould; remove from propagator once the new plants have rooted

[Two_Sheds]

Our winter gardens changed forever back in 1979. This was the year that 'Universal' pansies first made their appearance and, although they could be grown for the summer, it was their ability to flower in winter that made such an impact.
'Universal' and other winter-flowering pansies and violas were developed by breeders in Britain ...with three features in mind: the capacity to flower in the short days of winter; tolerance of cold, wet and windy weather; and the ability to stay compact and not stretch and flop over when mild weather eventually arrives. (the Telegraph)

[Two_Sheds]

I got some as plug plants and they were definitely sold as "winter" pansies, distinct from summer ones....a cunning marketing ploy

They can indeed be the same plant. Sow them in Feb- March for summer flowering or June-Sept for winter flowering.

Some are only half-hardy so wouldn't survive a harsh winter. T&M describe their half-hardies: "in most areas they are more hardy than Universal Pansies". http://www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds1/group/viola.html

Some are perennial, but most are annuals, so you can't keep them going forever... unless you take cuttings.

You get more choice if you grow from seed, rather than buy plants.

Violas look nicer than the large-flowered pansies, in my opinion, which tend to flop over too much.

[FionaH]

Thanks for the info TS. I have to admit I love pansies. They look so delicate but survive the most awful weather like hail and stuff and just spring back