Celebrating a flower that never really left—but is finally being seen in a new light.
There’s something quietly timeless about pansies and violas. Long cherished for their cold tolerance and cheerful faces, they’ve lived for decades on the edges of garden beds, spilling from window boxes and borders. But today, something’s shifted. These flowers—often overlooked in favour of bolder or trendier varieties—are suddenly finding themselves back in the spotlight. And rightly so.
They’re delicate without being fussy, hardy yet romantic, and lend themselves beautifully to everything from early spring bouquets to edible decorations. Their appeal is subtle, but lasting.
A Personal Note from the Past:
Nearly 25 years ago, before I’d ever planted a field or opened a seed packet with a sale in mind, I spent weeks sugaring violas for my wedding cake. Each bloom was brushed gently with egg white, dipped in superfine sugar, and left to dry. I still remember the hours spent and sheets of paper towel covered in various levels of success as I figured it all out —but also the moment I saw them on the cake: delicate, crystalline, and utterly beautiful. There’s something about violas that holds memory in their petals. They’ve always felt like a quiet gesture of love.
That was my first brush with them, and in many ways, it set the tone for what I now find myself growing.
A Growing Revival:
And then came Pansies: How to Grow, Reimagine, and Create Beauty with Pansies and Violas by Breanna Estrada. When I heard about it, I ordered a copy through my local bookstore here in town. It’s the kind of store you can go into and get lost in for ages — quiet, thoughtful, essential to small-town life. The book itself is both beautiful and practical, full of encouragement for growing, so many varieties, all beautifully photographed, catalogued and sorted by colour along with creative ideas for designing and showcasing these gorgeous little flowers. Estrada’s reverence for the flower is clear. She’s reminded so many of us just how versatile and elegant pansies can be.
On the Farm This Year:
I’ll be trialling a few standout varieties this season—rich mauves, soft antique pinks, and a touch of bronze and terracotta. These are not your everyday garden centre pansies. They’ve been chosen for colour story, stem strength, and that intangible feeling when you spot a bloom that just stops you. You’ll find seeds for some of them in the shop, with a few more coming soon.
Whether you’re planting a garden bed, tucking them into pots, or growing a patch for garnishes or gifts, they’re easy to love. And for me, it’s also a way to reconnect with a flower that quietly followed me through seasons of life.
And for growing, here’s what I’ve found which I hope will help you with your growing journey.
WHEN TO PLANT (Victoria timing):
- Sow indoors or in trays: Late summer through mid-autumn (Feb–May)
- Transplant out: Once seedlings are established and hardened off
- Direct sowing: Possible in cool areas from March–May, but less controlled
- Bloom season: Mid-late autumn through winter and into spring
STARTING FROM SEED (recommended):
Starting in trays gives better germination, easier spacing, and stronger plants.
1. Seed trays & soil
- Use seedling trays with small cells (or punnets)
- Fill with a fine-textured, free-draining seed-raising mix
- Avoid heavy or overly moisture-retentive mixes
2. Sowing
- Surface sow or press lightly into the soil—do not bury deeply
- Light aids germination; a light dusting of fine vermiculite is optional
- Mist gently after sowing to settle seeds
3. Conditions for germination
- Ideal temp: 15–20°C (cooler nights are fine, avoid heat spikes)
- Avoid heated greenhouses or windowsills—they cause leggy growth
- Place trays in a sheltered, shaded outdoor spot, cold frame, or unheated tunnel
- Keep consistently moist but not soggy
4. Germination timeline
- Typically 7–14 days
- Some varieties may take up to 21 days—don’t discard trays too early
5. Pricking out / potting on
- Once true leaves form and seedlings are sturdy, transplant into larger cells or small pots
- Use a light potting mix with good drainage
- Keep in cool, bright light (but not full sun) while they establish
TRANSPLANTING OUT
Once your seedlings have a solid root system and are around 5–8cm tall:
• Harden off for 5–7 days by gradually exposing to outdoor conditions
• Plant spacing: 15–20cm apart (or for longer stems and sturdy plants you can plant as close as 5-10cm apart).
• Location: Full sun to part shade—afternoon shade is helpful in warmer regions
• Soil: Free-draining, rich in compost or organic matter
• Mulch: A light layer helps retain moisture and suppress weeds
• To help with longer stem length plant against a trellis or companion plant with sweet peas for example and they’ll reach up for added height.
ONGOING CARE
• Watering: Regular watering, especially during dry winter spells
• Feeding: Liquid seaweed or a balanced organic fertiliser every 2–3 weeks
• Deadheading: Extend bloom time by removing spent flowers
• Pest watch: Slugs and snails love tender seedlings—use barriers or traps early
BONUS TIPS
• Violas vs. Pansies: Violas tend to have smaller flowers but more blooms; they’re often more cold-tolerant and longer-lasting
• Cut flowers: Choose long-stemmed varieties; harvest in cool parts of the day
• Edible use: Only use unsprayed blooms; violas are especially popular for garnishing cakes, cocktails, and desserts
This season marks my first time growing pansies and violas here on the farm. I’ve selected a small, curated group of varieties for their soft antique tones, long stems, and potential as both floral and edible additions.
Once established, they’re remarkably hardy—often flowering right through winter and into spring, especially in cooler climates.
Seeds are available now—easy to start, easy to love, and perfect for the cooler months ahead. Whether you’re new to pansies or simply circling back to a favourite from years past, I hope you’ll find a place for them in your garden this season. And maybe, like me, you’ll find they bring more than just colour.
Still growing, still learning, and always glad you stopped by.
Roxanne
Photo credit: @fleuropean