Pansies are native to temperate climates and are therefore mostly frost-resistant. They bloom in late autumn or early spring, depending on the variety and the time of sowing. They close their flowers in frost and open them again in milder temperatures.
Homegrown pansies are less sensitive to frost than bought ones
Both pansies and horned violets are biennials. This means that the plants sown in summer will flower the following year. If you sow them early (until July), the first flowers can appear as early as October/November. In mild weather, pansies bloom throughout the winter months.
Pansies are frost resistant
Since the beginning of the 19th century, the breeding goals for pansies have been not only large flowers and an early flowering period, but also winter hardiness. When buying seeds and plants, you should pay attention to which varieties have a good winter hardiness. Horned violets (Viola cornuta) and wild pansies (Viola tricolor) are particularly frost hardy.
What are the dangers in winter?
Pansies sown outdoors are quite robust. They tolerate changes from frost and thaw as well as a snow cover without any problems. On the other hand, it is practically impossible for pansies to overwinter in balcony boxes and other small plant containers without protection.
- Pansies don't like cold winter without snow,
- Danger of drying out in full sun,
- if the soil is too wet, the root ball will freeze so that no more water can be absorbed.
remedy
Experts also recommend winter protection for plantings outdoors. In rough locations, the beds can be covered with brushwood, a layer of leaves or straw or fleece. You should also make sure that a rain-protected place is chosen for the pansies that overwinter outdoors. However, it should be watered if necessary.
tips and tricks
The self-grown plants are less sensitive to frost than bought ones. Especially the pansies offered in spring are grown in frost-free greenhouses and are sensitive to cold.