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December 9th 2019

Pansies and Violas for Cut Flowers

Written by
Floret

In recent years I’ve seen pansies and violas being used more frequently in bouquets by designers who are either growing their own flowers or have access to a really high-end flower market. I have always loved these sweet, cheerful little flowers but never really considered them as a potential bouquet ingredient because of their small size.

Arrangement with pansiesEager to figure out the secrets of growing them as a cut flower, I collected nearly 50 pansy and viola varieties that seemed most suited for production and grew them as part of a farm trial. Pansies have a more stocky growth habit and produce larger-faced flowers, while violas have a more airy and wild growth habit and much smaller flower heads. Both are pure magic!

The goal of this trial was to find both pansies and violas that had beautiful coloring with long enough stems for cutting and vigorous plant growth.

Close up of violas and pansies at FloretIn addition to testing different varieties, we also tried out two growing methods to see which produced longer stems. Seeds were started in early February in 72-cell trays in our heated seedling greenhouse. Both pansies and violas are easy to start from seed and are great for beginning gardeners.

Pansy trial at Floret Floret Viola and pansy trial Floret Viola and pansy trial We planted the first batch of seedlings in mid-March in one of our unheated hoop houses. Because all of our growing beds were spoken for, we had to get creative and ended up planting the pansies and violas in bulb crates filled with potting soil instead of in the ground.

A bulb crate is a black plastic box with slits in the side that bulbs from the Netherlands are typically shipped in. They measure 15 in (38 cm) wide and 24 in (61 cm) long and about 8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm) deep. We planted 24 plants in each crate, with plants spaced 3 to 4 in (8 to 10 cm) apart. The reason for the close plant spacing is that we had limited room and wanted to see if closer spacing would encourage the plants to grow more upright, resulting in longer stems.

Floret Viola and pansy trial The second method was planting the seedlings into landscape fabric with 9-in (23-cm) spacing out in our field, growing them as we grow all of our other cut flowers. Seedlings went into the field in mid-April, right before our last frost.

Pansies and violas are cold tolerant and can handle cooler weather, and I actually think we could have planted them a month sooner than we did, around the same time as the ones in the hoop house.

Violas and pansies as cut flowers from FloretBoth growing methods worked well, and both plantings produced long enough stems for cutting. The field plants produced bushier growth and flowered a little later, probably because they went into the ground later, even though they were started from seed at the same time.

The plants grown under cover were much taller, and I think the closer spacing and protection from wind allowed them to produce more delicate, trailing stems than their counterparts grown in the field. We find the same is true for almost any cut flower that’s grown under cover. Stems are typically 30 to 50 percent longer because the plants aren’t bracing themselves against wind and poor weather and can stretch more easily toward the light.

Violas and pansies as cut flowers from FloretViolas and pansies from FloretIt seems the key with pansies and violas is choosing the right varieties and then being patient, because it takes time for their stems to stretch. We had blooms from early May through July, and I was surprised by how heat tolerant they actually were.

All of the varieties included in the trial produced sufficient stem length for cutting. But only a handful of them had the colors and patterning that made them ideal candidates for arranging.

Violas and pansies from Floret
Pansy stem length
By the end of the growing season, we were harvesting stems that on average were 8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm) long, with some even stretching to 15 in (38 cm). Pansy stems are quite fragile, so they must be harvested with care.

The flowers last an unbelievably long time in the vase. As the lower flowers on the stem begin to fade, new ones appear. We had cut pansies look beautiful for well over a week in just plain water and more than 10 days when we used flower food.

Violas and pansies from FloretGoing forward, I think planting into soil produces the healthiest plants. And if you have a protected spot in the garden or room under cover to grow them, you ultimately will get longer stems.

While we grew more than 40 varieties in the trial and all were beautiful, only 14 made the final cut. I love them all and can’t wait to see their cheerful, adorable faces again this coming spring.

Violas and pansies from FloretIf you only have room for one variety, I recommend going with a mix.

The Rococo Frill Mix (pictured above, left) is a rich mix of yellow, velvet-purple, lavender, and maroon petals with eye-catching veining. Petals are ruffled and edged with a lighter pigmentation, making them look like lace. These medium-size flowers carry a light fragrance.

The Aalsmeer King Size Mix (pictured above, right) includes gold, cranberry, lavender, and bicolor flowers with distinct faces that look like butterflies. They have a ton of personality.

Pansy Apricot AntiqueIf you are looking for flowers in the peach tones, pansy ‘Nature Antique Shades’ (pictured above, left) has rich cranberry-rose blooms that fade to smoky peach and finally to light apricot.

Viola ‘Gem Apricot Antique’ (pictured above, right) has antiqued plum-colored blooms dusted with gold, giving them a peach quality. As flowers age, they lighten to a golden-apricot hue. They also are highly fragrant!   

Pansy Panola Pink Shades (left)If you’re looking for flowers for wedding work, pansy ‘Panola Pink Shades’ (pictured above, left) is a feminine mix of blushy purple to purple-mauve. Each flower has a dark face and a glowing yellow throat, which reminds me of orchids.

This variety looks stunning mixed with viola ‘Gem Pink Antique’ (pictured above, right) because the petals are similarly colored but the flower heads are much smaller. The coolest thing about this variety is that the oldest flowers on a stem are tinted turquoise.

Pansies from FloretFor unusual novelty varieties, pansy ‘Frizzle Sizzle Yellow Blue Swirl’ (pictured above, left) carries a beautiful mix of frilly edged, fragrant flowers. Blooms darken as they age and are a gorgeous mix of smoky lavender-blue and gold with chocolate faces.

Pansy ‘Envy’ (pictured above, right) produces flowers that range from chocolate to metallic lavender to yellow with a green cast. Strongly scented blooms have a sepia-toned wash and look stunning planted en masse.

Two varieties in particular have a wonderful antique look and painterly stripes.

The ruffled blooms of pansy Chianti Mix (pictured above, left) have a lovely feminine quality. Colors range in varying shades of raspberry, peach, rose-blush, and pale lemon yellow. Flowers have contrasting dark faces, and some petals are even striped. This versatile mix is perfect for flower arranging because the muted earthy tones mix well with so many colors.

Viola ‘Brush Strokes’ (pictured above, right) is a fitting name for this striking mix of striped and multicolored flowers in shades of eggplant, wine, apricot, and sunny golden yellow. As flowers age, they take on a blue cast, giving them an old-fashioned, sepia-toned quality. This is one of our favorites to date.

Close up of violas and pansies at Floret

Urn arrangement with pansiesAll of these pansy varieties meet our standards for beautiful coloring, vigorous growth, and long stems. They’re great for petite posies or woven into larger-scale arrangements, and they have become a new favorite.

If you’re looking for a fun new addition to your garden, I would highly recommend that you give pansies and violas a try. In addition to being easy to grow, cold tolerant, and suitable for small spaces and containers, they also make wonderful, unexpected cut flowers.

 

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90 Comments

  1. Marti on

    I live in zone 8b, and I am wanting to start violas from seed. When is the best time to start the seeds? I have the capability to start them in a green house. Also, what other flower seeds can I start now for a fall winter bouquet?

    Reply
  2. Cara on

    Where can I find these seeds? I’d love to find the heavenly blue viola to grow for my son’s birth flower! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Mallory Blackburn on

    Pansies are my FAVORITE flower! I have been searching for 20 years to see them in a cut flower bouquet! This is so amazing and I love all testing and research you’ve done because, yes they are very persevering in a cooler or early-frost climate. I know you are testing and teaching how to do these as well as selling seeds and tips but would you ever consider getting into selling them as a floral cut bouquet? If so, I’d be very interested in helping you do so, such a beautiful untapped market! I’d love to mix them with another unseen gem in a cut bouquet that could change a lot in that market, the small tiny bells of the lily of the valley…..:)

    Reply
  4. GailRose on

    I need to order all your viola seeds. Hope you have foxglove— they are so hard to find.

    Reply
  5. Robin F on

    Just discovered you regarding my new love for dahlias and read this on your pansies. I had no idea you could get long stems in them. I know how to spread their seeds around my garden and grow them in winter here in Lake Stevens and keep them deadheaded. I dont call them annuals because of this. I prefer the purples and blues and the frilly edged ones, this will be fun to explore more

    Reply
  6. Cassie V on

    I’m in TX, 8b – pansies and violas are grown here in fall and winter and bloom all season. Do you think these will do well during those seasons or are they more tender ?

    Reply
  7. Lizzie W. on

    Hi! They are beautiful and so fun but this is my second year (zone 7b) using your seeds and still can’t get a stem length longer that 3 or 4 inches. Planted them close together in a protected area but not covered. Any ideas how to improve stem length?

    Reply
  8. Megan on

    My pansies Panola pink shades were started from seed in January and planted out mid March in my Missouri garden, however my plants are about two inches tall and starting to bloom… will they get taller or did I do something wrong?

    Reply
  9. Kim Southern on

    Erin, quick question about growing pansies!
    I ordered your Frizzle Sizzle Yellow Blue Swirl pansies this year and I am growing them from seed in my greenhouse in Teton Valley, ID. On your seed packet it says, “Seeds require darkness to germinate so lightly cover.” When you say “cover” do you mean with soil, fabric or what do you use? Do you grow them in seedling soil or good potting soil? As you can probably tell, I am starting seeds inside for the first time as I have purchased starts in the past…wish me luck! Kim

    Reply
    • Angela, Team Floret on

      Hi Kim,

      We cover them with soil and that seems to be enough darkness for germination. Happy planting!

  10. Kim Dexter on

    Pansies are my favorite flower. They always put a smile on face. Your flowers are beautiful. I have never grown pansies by seed. Are they easy to grow from seed? I live in Southern California. Also, wanted to tell you that I love your blog. I would love to visit your nursery one day.

    Reply
    • Angela, Team Floret on

      Hi Kim,
      Yes, they start really well from seed. Definitely give it a try!

  11. Maca on

    Thank you for always bringing beauty and joy to our lives!

    Reply
  12. Nadja Galadram on

    Dear Floret! Kept cool, dark and dry, two questions: What % germination can we expect from these Pansies and Viola seeds you sell? And: how many years can they be kept and still germinate at, at least 25%? It would be so wonderful to have all seeds you sell of all varieties, labeled in the envelopes for first year estimated germination rate and average seed life, as well as on this website! This will be my first season growing an assortment of your other flower varieties … after 30 years of growing 99% vegetables … and I am so delighted with the care you have put into your website, with substantial guidance and utterly uplifting photos.

    Reply
  13. Doris deLespinasse on

    What about planting pansies and violas in the fall? I’m in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, occasional frosts, once in a long while a heavy frost, so I’d need to have them in a hoop house or other covering. Of course, plenty of gloomy days. But an occasional pansy really brightens a gloomy day!

    If you did fall planting, when would you start seed?

    Reply
  14. Susan McKenna on

    Do you need to wire the pansy stems when using them in an arrangement? I’ve always found their stems to be so delicate and fragile, I cannot imagine them holding up in an arrangement with other flowers.

    Reply
  15. Kelsey on

    Is it to late to start some… it’s April now, I live in the PNW. Also wondering if it’s too late to start bread seed poppy?

    Reply
  16. Ann Lawless on

    I hve picked outdoor-grown pansies, short stemmed and buffeted by winds, rain and cold. To elongate the stems as much as possible, I have picked well below the bottom of the flower stem, almost including roots. Did you do any testing and have insights on this method? Thank you.

    Reply
  17. Val on

    Hi just bought 2 hanging baskets yesterday so pretty,just wondering do they come up each year and do you just cut them back or how do you care for them
    Thanks Val

    Reply
  18. Sophie Bromley on

    Hello- these are so beautiful, thank you! Im wondering if you can pretty much sow these all months of the year, or should you be sowing them spring and then autumn? Im wondering if i can grown them for a late summer/autumn display for when our garden opens to the public after the corona closures. Thank you in advance!!

    Reply
  19. Shirley Gassen on

    Pansies were my mother’s favorite flowers…which is saying a lot given her far ranging love of flowers. When she passed, I had the florist tuck pansies into her casket floral spray. I will definitely be purchasing your seed to grow them in the memorial garden dedicated to my parents.

    Reply
  20. megan herndon on

    With more common varieties of pansies, I’m used to cutting them back once they’ve stopped blooming for a bit of a “cut and come again” effect in the edible flower garden. How would these do under that system?

    Reply
  21. Beverly Kitchener on

    Lovely. 20 plus years ago, when I was using my garden flowers to do weddings, I would tuck in pansies as they symbolize remembrance. For different couples that meant different things, but it was always appreciated.
    Beverly

    Reply
  22. Jennifer Andersson on

    I couldn’t find any of them where I live but I ´ll try the Spring Matrix Sangria, did you try it in your trial? I would love to see your notes from your trials!
    I love the Chianti and the Nature Antique shades and of course the Brush strokes!

    Reply
  23. Vickie on

    Do you think if you used soil in your bulb crates, instead of a potting mix, that the quality of the flower would have been more like those grown in the ground?

    Reply
  24. Edward James on

    Great article, thanks for sharing this delightful pictures and useful information on pansies with us. Pansies are the cutest, we have a lot of them in our store. Pansies always make a great addition to your garden and give out positive vibes!

    Reply
  25. Lana on

    Hello! I planted out some long stem violas (from floret seed) in early March in zone 7 PA, but they are still only an inch or two tall and flowering like crazy. Should I pinch the flowers off of them to encourage height? Do I just need to be more patient? Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)

    Reply
  26. John Valentine on

    I get a lot fron your posts. I have been gardenjng for 50+ years and appreciate the effort you put into your blog.

    Reply
  27. Laura on

    Wow I never considered you could get such long stems. I love pansies!

    Reply
  28. Molly Davidson on

    I have a goofy question as I know the answer is that is probably varies. How many blooms will one healthy plant produce? I would like to harvest the blooms on a weekly basis and I am trying to estimate the blooms count I will have available.

    Reply
  29. Parrish in Alabama on

    OMG!! I am in shock how long you got the stems to grow. Here in the South, (Birmingham, Al) no matter how much they grow they never really get taller they just kinda mound onto one another. They are a very popular plant for containers and bedding plants. We usually plant them in the Fall and they make it thru our mild winters and then perk up again for a show in early to mid Spring and then they bolt & die back in late Spring. They cant take our heat in the Summer. Maybe they never get long stems here because they don’t have a long, consistent growing period here. The only thing we could ever do with a pansy here is crystallize it and put it on a cake or put a few blooms in a little bud vase…… Thanks for the great information and sharing your trail!!!!

    Reply
  30. Ollie on

    Did you start the seeds in germ trays first or direct sow into the crates? Thank you soooo much for this! I’ve been wondering about pansies because they have are symbolic within queer culture, so I am really happy that I should be able to put them in bouquets this year. <3

    Reply
  31. Anab on

    Hello! Can pansies grow in tropical country?

    Reply
  32. Shells on

    Have you tried an autumn sowing for late autumn/early winter blooms? We have frosts from May/June and I am looking for the off-season flowers to maintain our few customers. Thanks for this, I had my pansy seeds in the ‘not cut flowers but still want to grow them’ pile..

    Reply
  33. Deborah Morgan on

    Thank for the wonderful info and superior seeds!! I look forward to your emails.

    Reply
  34. Debbie on

    Thanks for all the info! I almost started some of mine from seed this weekend so I’m glad I read this first. I’m regretting not getting a few more varieties after seeing your pictures, but there’s always next year!

    Reply
  35. Lori Merrill on

    Hello! I love violas….I plant them often…I look forward to planting Floret Seeds. I planted some last year and housed them in my shed. I have a sweet pic on my INstaGram @vintagethruthyme thank you for sharing all your knowledge! Lori

    Reply
  36. Amanda Baxter on

    The beautiful pictures are inspiring! Thank you for all the advice and encouragement to try new things in the garden.

    Reply
  37. Sherrell McColm on

    What a great idea to include pansies in a bouquet. Something I would never have thought of.
    Thank you and your team for all you do.
    I’m learning so much

    Reply
  38. Melissa Langlois on

    I love happy flowers and Pansy’s definitely are happy! Thank you for your diligence in creating such beautiful flowers! I’m inspired now and can’t wait for spring!

    Melisss

    Reply
  39. Rebecca H. on

    Pansies are indeed my favourite flower for landscaping as they can command the shoulder seasons. But as I also do a bit of floristry on the side; as a consumer how long do these last as a purchased cut flower or are they just too tender for that? Have you ever shipped them?

    Reply
  40. Anne Oberwalleney on

    Dear Erin, thank you so much for this Information and the masses of work it made bringing it to us! I am totally addicted to pansies, even more after a flowerclass with Fleuropean. I am in the second year of my cutflower Garden and sowed some pansies in different spots last autumn. Do you think, if I cover them, they can also make longer stems planted in a big pot, or do they need the conditions of a larger bed? Thank you and sunny wishes from Germany, Anne

    Reply
  41. Janet O on

    Thank you for this post. I had no idea that pansies and violas could be cut flowers. I’m going to give them a try again. I used to grow them but the rabbits in our neighborhood would always find them. I have a protected vegetable patch and will plant some seeds there and see how it goes!

    Reply
  42. Lorri on

    I love pansies they were one of my Grammas favorite. It will be fun to try these
    Thank you for sharing

    Reply
  43. Rachel Martz on

    Thank you for another great post! I too saw pansies popping up in floral work, and was curious about growing them for more than just a pretty addition to the garden. I knew they made a beautiful edible garnish, but I can’t wait to try them in arrangements!

    Reply
  44. Taylor Doyle on

    This post was so much fun and incredibly informative! I am a floral designer in north Texas with clay in my soil and a tiny backyard so anything that is easy in containers makes me giddy!

    Reply
  45. Aleida on

    I’m in an apartment but I LOVE reading your posts, admiring the pictures, and daydreaming about having a garden one day!

    Reply
  46. Pauline on

    Thanks for all your hard work and sharing your trial results. Makes gardening easier with fun results.

    Reply
  47. Caroline on

    Thanks for this really useful article and for sharing the results of your trial in to different varieties and stem lengths from different growing methods. I grow violas from seed (and shall try some under cover this year too)….I love them in the garden and for bouquets and posies and also use the individual flower heads as pretty decorations for salads and cakes (either fresh or crystalized).

    Reply
  48. Lindsey C on

    This is a great article. I can’t wait to try my hand st growing these. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  49. Kharizma on

    This is exciting! Thank you for doing the hard part, trials!! I always plant pansies in March and let them self seed. I use them in cooking and have used them in mini bouquets, but mostly I love their little faces. I moved to a different region of my state and last year I planted my typical mixed flat of pansies and some native violas. The violas went away and I trust they seeded. But my pansies are still going strong today. The blooms have slowed down and rot faster with rains but the, now bushes, are bright green and lush! It’s been a fun surprise! Long stem pansies are now on my radar! And I have not grown them from seed before, I think I will try that this year. Thank you for the inspiration.

    Reply
  50. anthony cinicolo on

    I’m in zone 7A, can I grow these varieties of pansies as perennials and still get the same stem length and overall cut flower quality?

    Reply
    • Team Floret on

      That’s a great question but unfortunately I don’t know the answer. We grew ours as annuals and then let them self seed where they wanted. If you can perennialize them I’d love to hear how it goes.

  51. Lucy on

    I’m so excited to try pansies in my cutting garden this year- thank you so much for the inspiration and information!

    Reply
  52. Kate Worrell on

    I love these! I’m frequently caught in a Floret rabbit hole thinking that everything you guys do is magic! Then I find myself rushing over to see how I can make these beauties grow in the Arctic tundra of Northern Wisconsin! Absolutely beautiful.

    Reply
  53. cmbcole on

    I love pansies! These are beautiful.

    Reply
  54. Susan on

    I’ve grown pansies many years just to have something colorful to survive our southern winters but never thought of any growing long enough for cutting, love the post. Thanks!

    Reply
  55. Lillian flint on

    I love the final results and love that yall are trying new unique ideas
    The peachy ones are my favorite

    Reply
  56. Elisha on

    Great info and lovely pictures!

    Reply
  57. Deb on

    My favorite flowers for sure, I press them and they hold their color beautifully! I soooo enjoy your blog and Instagram feed, thanks for sharing all your knowledge and beauty. Your Instagram friend, gonetocapecod

    Reply
  58. Shannon on

    I love pansies! I had no idea that they could grow tall enough to use in arrangements!

    Reply
  59. Paula on

    I love pansies and violas for edible flowers. I’d be so happy if you offered edibles in organically grown seed:)

    Reply
  60. Sarah Joy on

    This is amazing! I love these posts! Keep them coming :)

    Reply
  61. Ruth on

    It’s so different to think of pansies as a cut flower? They’ve always been in my life, but solely as a garden plant. Thank you for this introduction and sharing so much information. I really find the details about the growing trials such as spacing, cover, placement, growing medium and protection the most helpful as well as how well the different species and varieties do in climatic conditions. So, thank you for your time and commitment to spreading beauty.

    Reply
  62. Ashlee on

    Thank you for sharing your knowledge and the hard work you put in to it.
    My yard has barely any full sun spots which makes it difficult to plant nice things. I am saving all your tips for the day I have a suitable yard!

    Reply
  63. Mags on

    I too have always loved pansies and violas and have many happy memories of greeting them in the spring on my grandmothers farm.
    I am currently designing a large edible landscape in a public space to encourage home gardeners to include edibles in ways they may not have thought of previously.
    I am excited to incorporate one or two of your mixes in the design.
    Your love of flowers and your generosity in sharing your knowledge are a true gift. Thank you.

    Reply
  64. Frida on

    I love the idea to grow pansies as cut flowers. I really want to grow flowers that the costumers won’t find at the local florist shop. The seeds I find here in sweden have very short stems, 15-20 cm. is it possible to force them to grow taller? It’s expensive to pay for custom and it’s not so climate friendly to ship seeds across the glob either…though I really would love to grow your beautiful pansie seeds!

    Reply
  65. Lenore Messick on

    Here in Denmark pots of pansies and violets are available for sale at every supermarket starting in early spring, along with pots of primroses and spring bulbs. I can’t help but think that this is an easier way to enjoy the special beauty of these flowers that’s closer to their spirit? They are so lovely in tiny posies with other tiny spring things-it seems almost a shame to force them to stand up so straight.

    Reply
  66. Sara on

    I am so excited by your innovative thinking in this area! Pansies have a heart-connection for me since my Grandma grows them in abundance… As a cut flower, I think they have great potential to endear people and start conversations, especially since the old-fashioned gems are not typically seen in bouquets! Thanks for sharing the wisdom you’ve acquired through all the hard work and testing. I’m continually blown away and inspired by all the nuggets you make available! Blessings!

    Reply
  67. Laurie on

    I’m a retired rose grower. I still love growing for my and friends bouquets. These pansies look wonderful. I’m excited to try them.

    Reply
  68. Kristen on

    I’m just your basic at home gardener who loves arranging cut flower bouquets so I’m so excited about this option! I’m going to get these mixes from you and dedicate a planter box just for some pansies. Excited for spring to come! Thank you!

    Reply
  69. Shari on

    I’ve always cut pansies and violas. I’m ok with shorter stems though. If you really want them to last, cut the individual flower stems right at the main stems (without cutting the main stem). You’ll easily get 10 to 14 days from them. But that’s not commercial and the all important floral designers must be appeased. I’m actually surprised by this post. Pansies and violas have very fragile main stems and are subject to breakage and/or rot, especially if the leaves are removed. They are gorgeous flowers but I cannot for the life of me imagine them as commercial flowers, given the way flowers are handled in general. The antique varieties are especially fragile but some of the most beautiful things on earth.

    Reply
  70. Carolyn Radakovich on

    Hands down my favorite flowers and the first my mom taught me to grow. I’ve long wanted to incorporate them into bouquets but have struggled with stem length so this is perfect! Thank you!

    Reply
  71. Cachae on

    Thank you for sharing your continued hunt for new trials! This post felt organized and super easy to read, I really appreciate that when absorbing new information. And of course the photos (all the heart eyes!) This blogpost has definitely inspired me, can’t wait to scoop some pansy and viola seeds up when the new Floret seeds go on sale!

    Reply
  72. Gina Schley on

    I’m a little nervous to grow these. While they are beautiful, I’m not sure designers will buy them –even if I could get them to grow 12″, its still a shorter length stem. Last year, I found designers wanted a minimum of 18″. I grew beautiful calendula but because of their shorter stems they didn’t sell well. Also, they are not something designers are used to working with so there is a learning curve. Curious if you were able to sell them all or just use them in your own designs?

    Reply
  73. Chimene Kirkpatrick on

    I am so thankful for your blog and the window of expertise it provides. Also love getting lost in your flower world and envisioning my own. Such lovely pictures that truly inspire ♡ Thank you so much for taking the time to write.

    Reply
  74. Melissa on

    Thanks so much for sharing the results of this great trial. Did you find you had to pinch or harvest a few times before getting stems of a useable length?

    Reply
  75. cathy mcs on

    i have always frown pansies and violas
    in 2018 we sold many blooms to a local wedding cake maker
    by keeping the flowers picked we ended up with almost continuous blooming
    thanks for the tips for longer stems for bouquets

    Reply
  76. Anna on

    I cannot WAIT to try these! I love them.

    Reply
  77. nole on

    I love pansies! I always wondered about their cold and heat tolerance – I’d love to plant some of these seeds in my front garden to see how they do!

    Reply
  78. Shelly on

    Pansies have always been a favourite of mine! Growing up on my parents farm I would beg my dad not to rototill every self-seeded pansy that grew in the big veggie garden! We always (and still do) called those pansies ‘Jumping jacks’ (very small purple petals with yellow and white faces).

    I can’t wait to try growing longer stemmed pansies/violas for bouquets though! Thank you for your hard work Floret team!

    Reply
  79. Melissa Brent- MH Landscape Design LLC on

    I love pansies! They are the first signs that my clients “flower fairies” (my team and I) are back to work after a long cold CT Winter. Everyone appreciates them but I never thought to use them as a cutting flower! I have a few clients who love to cut flowers from their garden and this would be a great way for them to get the best bang for their buck given the short time we usually keep the pansies in their pots and beds! Thank you for taking the time research and write about these pretty little Spring gems.

    Reply
  80. Lisa Ulery on

    In the past, these were not tall enough to use as cut flowers and they reseeded themselves and took over. I am really happy to find their are taller varieties to enjoy! They have beautiful faces!

    Reply
  81. Kelsey on

    This is so interesting! I always assumed pansies had short stems and wouldn’t be good for cutting. Thank you for writing about them!

    Reply
  82. Alexis on

    I hadn’t thought of pansies in my cutting garden before but I am now! Thanks for the perspectives on the two different growing methods and for sharing the results :)

    Reply
  83. Melanie Darcy on

    They are edible, but only if they’ve not been sprayed. I’ve been growing pansies and violas for the last few years now purely for colour in the garden and adding a pretty touch to cakes, salads and other desserts. I’m excited now to try and find a way to incorporate them into my garden this winter for ct flowers too.

    Reply

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