Pansies are a beloved cool weather flower that can brighten up your yard or garden during the colder months. If you’re looking for winter pansies for sale near you, this guide will help you find them
What Are Winter Pansies?
Winter pansies are a type of pansy bred to withstand cooler temperatures While regular pansies can’t tolerate anything below freezing, winter pansies are hardy in USDA zones 6-11 This means they can survive temperatures as low as -10°F to -20°F.
Winter pansies come in the same wide range of colors as traditional pansies. You’ll find them in solid shades of yellow, orange, red, purple, blue and white. There are also multicolored varieties with faces in two or three tones. Winter pansy flowers have five petals and a dark center.
Unlike regular pansies that fade in summer heat, winter pansies bloom off and on all year in mild climates. In colder zones, they bloom heavily during fall, winter and early spring when temperatures are coolest. Deadheading spent blooms encourages more flowers.
When to Plant Winter Pansies
The ideal time to plant winter pansies is in late summer or early fall. This gives them time to establish roots before freezing weather arrives.
If planting in fall, get pansies in the ground at least 6-8 weeks before your average first frost date. For most of the country, September and October are good months for fall planting.
You can also find winter pansies for sale in early spring. Plant them out after the last hard freeze when nighttime lows stay above freezing. Early spring planting works well in zones 8-11.
Where to Find Winter Pansies for Sale
Now that you know what winter pansies are and when to plant them, here are some places to find these cold-tolerant flowers for sale:
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
The first place to check for winter pansies is your local independent nursery or garden center. Most have pansies in stock during fall and early spring planting times. Buy them as:
- Individual plants in 4-6 inch pots.
- Cell packs with 3-6 plants per pack.
- Flats with 18-36 plants.
The benefit of nurseries is getting helpful advice from staff. You can also see and choose specific plants instead of buying them sight unseen online.
Home Improvement Stores
Big box home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s also sell winter pansies in their garden centers. You’ll find the same options like individual pots and cell packs.
Home improvement store plants are affordable and widely available. Just be aware that staff may not have the same hands-on knowledge as nurseries. Carefully inspect plants for health before purchasing.
Online Retailers
Can’t find winter pansies locally? Order them online! Retailers like Amazon, Breck’s, Park Seed, Michigan Bulb Company and Bluestone Perennials sell winter pansies they ship directly to you.
Online sellers have the widest selection of pansy varieties, colors and package sizes. Order during summertime for delivery in fall. The plants arrive safely packed and ready for planting.
Local Classifieds
Check Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor for winter pansies for sale in your area. Home gardeners who propagated too many pansies often sell off extras at great prices. Just be sure the plants look healthy before purchasing.
Farmer’s Markets
Finally, visit local farmer’s markets in autumn. Along with produce and other goods, some vendors sell trays of flowering pansies perfect for fall planting. Farmer’s markets are a fun place to pick up great bargains on plants.
How to Plant and Care for Winter Pansies
Once you find and buy winter pansies, proper planting and care will keep them flowering all season long. Here are a few tips:
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Plant in full sun. Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
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Prepare soil well. Pansies thrive in moist, well-draining soil amended with compost or potting mix.
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Space plants 6-12 inches apart. Give pansies room to reach maturity size.
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Water regularly. Keep soil moist, but not saturated. Avoid watering from overhead.
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Fertilize monthly. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer to encourage flowering.
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Deadhead flowers. Snip off spent blooms to improve appearance.
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Mulch in fall. Apply 2-3 inches of shredded bark, leaves or straw to protect roots from hard freezes.
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Remove mulch in spring. Rake it away so soil can warm up and new growth emerges.
Follow these tips and your winter pansies will reward you with cheerful, long-lasting color during cold weather.
The Best Winter Pansy Varieties
If you’re not sure which types to buy, here are five top-rated winter pansy varieties:
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Jolly Joker: A mix of purple, yellow and white blooms on each plant.
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Ultima Morpho: Yellow flowers that transform into blue-purple.
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Majestic Giants II: Extra-large purple and yellow blotched flowers.
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Purple Face: Rich royal purple petals with a dark face.
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Padparadja: Vibrant orange pansies that stand out.
Check tags to confirm the pansy you choose is a winter-hardy variety before purchasing.
Bring Cheerful Color to Your Winter Garden
Winter pansies are the perfect pick-me-up during dreary weather. Now that you know where to find pansies for sale in fall or spring, you can brighten up your landscape all season long. The wide selection of colors and varieties makes it easy to mix and match for stunning effects. Plant pansies in containers, borders and beds for a welcome spot of color. With minimal care, they’ll keep flowering persistently as temperatures plummet. Just bundle up and enjoy their beauty on even the coldest winter day!
Winter Annuals for Sale at Patuxent Nursery
Winter Annuals are hardy to last through the cold snow and wind until the spring. With the first frost, many believe that the growing season has ended, but that doesn’t mean you have to let your garden become drab! Choosing the right annuals for those cooler months is easy with Patuxent Nursery. Come in to talk to our flower experts today to help you choose the right plants to last till Spring!
Winter favorites are Pansies and Violas. They are so similar that people often confuse them, even experienced gardeners. Surprisingly, they are one of the sturdiest plants! Winter favorites also include our beautiful Ornamental peppers, Mums, and Celosia.
Pansies are flowers with a “face” they come in various beautiful and bright colors. They will flourish in your garden from fall until spring.
Violas are vibrant flowers that have over 500 species. Many will self-seed and give you years of a flourishing garden.
Ornamental Cabbage & Kale
These beauties are not for the dinner table! It’s hard to beat them for outright drama in the winter garden. Plant them individually or as mass plantings to make a statement this fall and winter.
Cabbage plants are great to grow in soil rich in organic matter that is well-drained. start cabbage at the end of summer so that it comes to harvest during the calm days of autumn, winter, or early spring.
Kale is a beautiful cool-season vegetable and can tolerate a light frost. Keep kale in cool temperatures. The best soil temperature for planting kale is 60 to 65 degrees F. It is best to water your kale plants regularly, so the soil stays evenly moist.
Winter Pansy Care : Gardening With Flowers & Succulents
FAQ
What is the best time to plant winter pansies?
Fall is the best time of year to plant a pansy. The cooler temperatures and less intense light enable the plant to establish healthy roots to survive the winter months. Although they’ll grow in conditions with less light, the pansy prefers a solid 6 hours of sunlight or more to prosper.
Which pansies are winter pansies?
| Common Name | Winter Pansies, Ice Pansies, Icicle Pansies |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Viola hiemalis |
| Family | Violaceae |
| Plant Type | Biennial |
| Mature Size | 6-12 in. tall, 9-12 in. wide |
What is the coldest temperature pansies can tolerate?
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Light frosts:Pansies can handle light frosts (temperatures just below freezing, around 32°F or 0°C).
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Hard freezes:They may survive a soft freeze (30-32°F or -1°C to 0°C) but might need some help if it gets colder.
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Extreme cold:Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 25°F (or -4°C) can cause wilting and damage.
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Dormancy:Pansies may go dormant at 25°F (or -4°C) and then rebound when warmer temperatures return.
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Freezing soil:Frozen soil can also prevent water uptake, so protecting the roots is important during cold snaps.
Will pansies survive winter in pots?
- Hardiness Zone: Pansies are generally hardy in USDA zones 4 to 10.
- Temperature: They can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F (6°C). However, prolonged periods below 20°F can cause dormancy or even die-back.
- Soil Type: Well-drained soil is essential, especially in pots.
- Sunlight: Pansies prefer full sun during fall, winter, and spring.
Are pansies suitable for winter gardens?
Pansies are a favorite option for late fall, winter, and spring gardens because they can handle cold weather. Their cheery faces in an assortment of colors are delightful in these seasons. This annual’s flat is great for adding color to your landscape in flower beds, around mailboxes, and when creating borders and lining walkways.
Can I buy pansies from Home Depot?
The Home Depot offers a variety of gardening supplies, including pansies. You can find pansies, along with the right planters, seeds, and potting soil, online. These sun-loving flowers are cool season favorites for garden beds and containers.
Do pansies bloom in the fall?
Pansies are classic and beautiful fall blooms. They enjoy the cooler weather and will bloom during fall and into spring. Pansies thrive in full, direct sunlight, with at least 6 hours per day. They will spread/trail quickly, making them great ground covers and accents for hanging baskets and containers.
Where can I plant Cool Wave pansies?
You can plant Cool Wave pansies in the Northeast, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions for fall and spring color. They will also bloom through winter in the Southwest, Coastal California, South Florida, and Southeast regions.
Can pansies be planted in the fall?
Pansies can be planted in the fall; They like sun but won’t survive hot weather. Plant pansies with other colorful annuals, perennials, or grasses to create texture and interest in your landscape or container.
When are pansies cool season favorites?
Sun-loving pansies and violas are cool season favorites for garden beds and containers. In spring and fall, give pansies a try in your garden.