Are nance perennial ? Yes and no . We ’ll break it down and tell you how to grow them for survive color in almost every season , from cool spring to frizzy fall .
queen are cool - season workhorses , bringing cheerful color to spring and fall when not much else is blooming . But all that blooming may leave you wondering : are pansies perennial ? pansy are oftengrown as annualsin most areas of the United States or as biennial in areas with cool summers and soft wintertime . But , technically , they areshort - lived perennial . In fact , pansies can overwinter in region as cold asHardiness Zone 4 , where winter temperature drop between -30 ° F and -20 ° F .
Pansies vs. Violas vs. Violets
People sometimes use the damage " pansy , " " viola , " and " violet " interchangeably , and while they are all part of theViolagenus , they take issue in lifespan and hardiness . Violetsare smaller , hardy , and more likely to repay year after year . If you want repeated , pansy - like blooms and colors , appear for native recurrent violas / reddish blue like Labrador violet(Viola labradorica),common blue violetor wood violet(V. sororia ) , and birdsfoot violet(V. pedata ) .
Pansies , on the other hand , havelarge , showy bloomsbut are shortly - lived perennial that often comport as annuals . Pansy blooms are normally divided into hearty colors , streak , and faces or blotch , though breeders have develop turgid , lilliputian , and even frilly - petalled varieties . fagot can have single , semi - double , or double bloom , and they blossom in shades of aristocratical , yellow , orangish , purple , Burgundy wine , blanched , peach , and pink . If you want pansies that last multiple seasons , await for’Cool Wave ' or ' ground substance ' pansies , which are morecold - tolerantand better suited for perennial increment .
When and How to Plant Pansies as Perennials
The choice times for planting pansies are other spring and fall — depending on the region and intention . The four - coterie or six - pack of pansies that most of us buy from garden centers , can be institute in the springiness or fall in much of the United States .
If you want to produce pansies as perennials in nerveless climate ( zones 4 - 6 ) , plant them in former fall so they have fourth dimension to establish a strong root organization before wintertime weather sets in . In warmer clime , you may plant in the fall ( or even early winter ) and often getcontinuous bloomsthrough April or May .
Alternatively , many nurseryman choose to plant pansies in the spring once the soil is feasible . If you do this , set the plants out in loose frost conditions , but wait to engraft them until thedanger of a unvoiced frost has passed .

Credit: Jason Donnelly
Choose a location in full or part Dominicus with honest drain . Work in somecompostand tease the soil . Make a hole and plant pansies at the same profoundness as in the container . tauten up the territory around them and water them well . Add a layer of mulch around them to reduce weeds and husband moisture .
When found pansies , affectionate - climate gardener should prefer for gay spots with afternoon shade . While most pansies need about 6 hours of Dominicus each sidereal day , intense heating plant and Sunday pic can accent the plant and diminish blooming .
Growing Pansies from Seed
faggot are also prosperous togrow from seed , and when you do , you may take advantage of all the unequaled colour and peak variations not unremarkably available at garden centers . However , pansies take a while to burgeon forth , so you ’ll want to plan ahead and be patient .
When the seedling are racy and the weather has warmed , they are quick totransplant to the garden .
Frequently Asked Questions
Most pansies can withstand temperatures down to about 5 ℉ . Some varieties are more cold - hardy than others , so check the tags or production verbal description when purchasing if you are a cold - clime nurseryman . To assist Viola tricolor hortensis last parky temps , allow for a thick level of mulch before acerb cold weather sets in . Six inches of straw work well , but shredded leave of absence or other constitutive material will also help .
Yes , pansies are edible . The petal are pop as a garnish in salads or parched goods and can be used to make candies and jelly . They can add tone to a unsubdivided sirup and can even be dehydrated or frozen for future use . The flower try out faintly like raft or pyrola .
queer bloom until the summertime warmth or a great frost rap them back . The show will last for many week with the good atmospheric condition . Deadheading themencourages new heyday .

Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Unfortunately , deer eat pansies , and rabbit like them too . If you have four - legged plant nibblers , trydeer repellentsorother methodsto keep your pansies safe .