Pansies are short-lived perennials usually grown as annuals—or sometimes as biennials in warm-weather climates. The modern pansy was developed as a hybrid from several species of the Viola genus, especially Viola tricolor. The parent species are native wildflowers in Europe but became widely naturalized in North America. Pansies are therefore sometimes known as violas or violets, though most horticulturalists reserve the name “pansy” to refer to the hybrid varieties with large multicolored flowers. Pansies are cool-weather flowers that often succumb to the heat of summer. In some regions, they’re planted both in spring and fall when the weather cools again. In warm-weather zones, they can be planted in fall to overwinter into the following year. Here are 14 unusual pansy varieties to consider for your spring garden.
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 6–10; usually grown an annualHeight: 8 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 5–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 6–8 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 5–9; usually grown as an annualHeight: 4–6 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 7–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 4–6 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 7–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 7 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 7–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 4–6 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 7–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 3–6 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 7–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 7 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 7–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 8–10 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 7–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 6–8 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 7–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 6–12 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 7–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 6–8 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 7–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 6–10 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Native Area: Nursery hybridUSDA Growing Zones: 5–10; usually grown as an annualHeight: 10–12 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
