The Pansy Flower

by Shanon Reitz

One of America's favorite flowers is the pansy. This flower has become a favorite among many gardeners and flower-lovers alike, and can be found in many of todays' gardens. They are known for their beauty and their distinct look. Many people believe that the black color in the middle of the flower resembles a "face", making this flower seem more

Pansies belong to a class known as tender perrenials, although most often the pansy is treated as a biennieal. These flowers are very useful to grow for many gardeners. They tend to provide many flowers for gardens over a long period of time. These flowers are also among the first to blossom in the Spring, and they tend to perk up in late August and will stay in bloom until Christmas time.

Pansies must be grown in rich soil to make them blossom as nice as they do. Humus usually helps in making the soil as enriched as it needs to be. The soil needs to be high in alkaline or acid. When you are planting the seeds, it is important to be sure that you are sowing seeds fresh from the current years' crops, because they tend to deteriorate after the seed is ripe. As soon as they start growing, you will see 5 fan-shaped petals, with a dark coloration in the middle.

These flowers can grow to be anywhere from 6'8"-6-8", and are mixed or individual colors. They need to be spaced at 6-9" apart, and given the sun or partial shade they will self sow. There are many uses for these flowers. The most often uses are for garden use, where you can spot-plant and highlight them for good mass spring bedding. The best time to purchase panses is late September unless you live in cold weather climates.

References

http://www.freefoto.com/pictures/homes_and _gardens/pansies/index.asp?i=6

http://www.gardengal.net/April.html