Pansies: Now the early bloomers are coming

Spring without pansies - unimaginable! The smallest of the family in particular will win hearts: the violets, which are as delightful as they are blooming.

Table of Contents Table of Contents Pansies and Horned Violets: Spring-like pops of color

• Pansies through the ages
• Start of the garden year
• Pansies and violets are easy to use
• Palate tickle pansies

Table of Contents Table of Contents Pansies and Horned Violets: Spring-like pops of color

• Pansies through the ages
• Start of the garden year
• Pansies and violets are easy to use
• Palate tickle pansies

Pansies have something so romantic and playful, they are reminiscent of Art Nouveau - and it is precisely this “vintage look” that makes the well-known flowers a little darling for today's trend-conscious gardener.

Pansies through the ages

Even our (great) grandmothers liked to decorate the garden with the uncomplicated graces - but they would have been amazed by the countless varieties and color variations that the breeders have developed since then. Until recently, mainly large-flowered, compactly growing pansies were in demand, now the smaller, smaller-flowered relatives, the violets, are getting more attention.

Horned Violets: Nice relatives

Both belong to the genus of violets (viola) and emerged as cultural forms from crosses. The story of the pansy (Viola witt-rockiana) began in 1813: the English Lord Gambier discovered some particularly beautiful wild pansies near London, dug them up and gave them to his gardener for cultivation. The pansy soon moved into many gardens. The violet (Viola cornuta) comes from a wild form from the Pyrenees and the field pansy. The first variety Princess was born in the USA. In the meantime you can find many varieties without a name in the trade - but the flowers speak for themselves anyway.

A planting table provides the perfect stage for the loose gathering of different pansies.

Photo: Picture Press / Kramp + Gölling Fotodesign

Start of the garden year

Pansies and violets are ideal for planting pots and bowls, but they also thrive in the flower bed. They need a partially shady to sunny location and nutrient-rich soil. You can plant either in spring, from March, or in autumn. It is important that you water regularly and avoid waterlogging.

Pansies and violets are easy to use

The relatives are pleasantly easy to care for in everyday use. You just need to cut off the faded from time to time and remove thickened ovaries. Then pansies bloom from March to May, the hardy violets even until the end of June. If you trim them slightly afterwards, they'll often drift through again, and next year you can enjoy their colorful flower faces again.

Horned violets in a colorful interplay with watering can and flower box.

Photo: living4media / Built Images

Palate tickle pansies

Did you know that pansies and violets are also edible? Simply sprinkle the pretty flowers over your spring salad or garnish with antipasti, cakes or desserts. Simply sweet!