What hardiness zones is Viola wittrockiana suitable for?

Viola wittrockiana is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Viola wittrockiana?

Viola wittrockiana requires Part Sun.

How much water does Viola wittrockiana need?

Viola wittrockiana has Medium water needs.

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Perennials

x Viola wittrockiana

pansy

PrimulaceaeEurope, Asia

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitMounding

FoliageEvergreen

Height6–9 inches (15–23 cm)

Width9–12 inches (23–30 cm)

Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Container Friendly

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Viola × 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. × 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

Pansies are identified by their compact, branching habit 6–9 inches (15–23 cm) tall with alternate, broadly ovate, crenate-margined, dark green leaves and large, flat-faced, velvety flowers 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) across with five petals — two overlapping upper petals, two side petals, and one lower petal with a nectar guide — typically displaying a dark face or central blotch and radiating dark veins from the center. The distinctive flat-faced, five-petal flower with the characteristic central blotch and the cool-season blooming period are immediately diagnostic.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 9"

Width/Spread9" - 1'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

purple

blue

red

white

orange

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

WinterSpring

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 veins

Foliage Description

Alternate, broadly ovate, crenate-margined, dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

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

early springlate spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets