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Overview
Viola x wittrockiana, commonly called pansy, is a large-flowered hybrid cool-season annual or short-lived perennial in the family Violaceae, derived primarily from crosses of Viola tricolor (heartsease), V. lutea, and V. altaica — wild European and Central Asian violets. Modern garden pansies are among the most widely grown cool-season bedding plants in the Pacific Northwest, valued for their large, flat-faced flowers 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) across in an extraordinary range of colors — yellow, blue, purple, red, orange, white, near-black, and bicolors — typically with a distinctive dark face blotch at the center. Plants form compact mounds 6–9 inches (15–23 cm) tall with alternate, broadly ovate, crenate-margined, dark green leaves. In Pacific Northwest gardens, pansies are planted in autumn (September–October) for winter and early-spring bloom — tolerating frost to 20°F (-7°C) — or in early spring for spring color. Summer heat causes rapid decline. The closely related violas (V. x wittrockiana compact strains and V. cornuta hybrids) are smaller-flowered but more heat-tolerant and longer-blooming. All parts are mildly toxic to pets if consumed in quantity.
Native Range
Viola × wittrockiana is a hybrid of complex garden origin, derived primarily from European and Central Asian wild violets including Viola tricolor (Europe, western Asia), V. lutea (western Europe), and V. altaica (Crimea and Central Asia). It has no wild native range. Not native to North America.Suggested Uses
Pansies are among the most important cool-season bedding plants for Pacific Northwest gardens, providing color through the long, mild Pacific Northwest autumn, winter, and early spring when most other flowering plants are dormant. Outstanding in containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets for winter color. Effective at the front of borders and as mass plantings in formal beds. The pansy's autumn-to-spring season fills the critical mid-winter color gap in Pacific Northwest gardens that few other plants can address. Combine with spring bulbs — tulips, daffodils, alliums — for layered spring displays. Select cold-tolerant series ('Matrix', 'Inspire', 'Delta Premium') for the longest Pacific Northwest autumn and winter performance.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 9"
Width/Spread9" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
In Pacific Northwest gardens, autumn-planted pansies bloom intermittently through winter (November–February) during mild spells and flower heavily in early spring (March–May). Spring-planted pansies flower from planting through late spring or early summer until summer heat causes decline. The main ornamental season is March through May in most Pacific Northwest locations. Deadheading or shearing extends the blooming period. Modern series such as 'Matrix', 'Delta', and 'Inspire' are selected for improved cold and heat tolerance.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Large, flat-faced, 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) across; five velvety petals; full color range including yellow, blue, purple, red, orange, white, near-black, bicolors; typically with dark central face blotch and radiating veinsFoliage Description
Alternate, broadly ovate, crenate-margined, dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soil. In Pacific Northwest gardens, plant autumn-established pansies September through October for the longest winter-to-spring display; plant spring pansies as soon as the soil can be worked, February through March. Water regularly and fertilize every two to three weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer during active growth. Deadhead spent flowers frequently to prolong blooming. Replace plants when summer heat causes stem elongation and reduced flowering — typically June in warmer Pacific Northwest locations. Slugs can be damaging to young plants in the Pacific Northwest autumn.Pruning
Deadhead spent flowers regularly by pinching or cutting just above a leaf node to encourage continuous bloom. Shear back leggy plants by one-third in mid-spring to encourage compact regrowth and extended flowering. Remove and replace when heat-induced decline is evident in late spring to early summer.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early springlate spring
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons