Our Strength in Pansies
Our pansy crop for landscapers was released in volume last week, and we have done a fine job of bringing these plants along this year. I assure you—this was not a challenge. Pansies have a reputation as a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow crop and it is largely true. Of course, they do need attention during propagation, but they are not a twitchy crop or fussy by any stretch of the imagination.
Such a carefree garden attitude makes it tough for retailers and landscapers to stand out when everyone and their garden gnome is offering pansies for sale. “Why us?” is a tough question, but we think we have valid selling points that you can offer to your customers.
MORE SIZES
Sometimes, a better fit is a better answer. We offer pansies in five packages:
- 306 Market Baskets offer a charming pick-me-up style six-pack of pansies.
- 1801L Landscape Trays are designed for bulk landscaping projects. The trays have no serrations, and there is just one extra tag.
- 1203 Retail Trays are the traditional flats. Each separates into smaller three-pack trays along pre-scored lines.
- 6-inch Pots in Trays of Six are akin to the 306 market baskets. They offer larger plants and more immediate impact when planted.
- 10-inch Hanging Baskets are green. We plant them with varieties that are known for their basket look.
Remember: we support each size with a healthy mix of pansy colors and styles.
MORE FLOWER CHOICES
We pride ourselves on growing the best mix of colors possible.
Delta and Matrix® Pansies are the workhorses because their genetics offer smooth and consistent shades. By this, I mean all of the varieties are closely related genetically, so they bloom and behave very similarly. This wasn't always so; at one time we’d grab a yellow from somewhere, a blue from somewhere else, mix in some other random colors and call it a collection. Did they bloom at the same time? Did they grow at the same height? Not usually.
Matrix®, from Ball, and Deltas, from Syngenta are higher quality plants because the breeders have been refining and improving their series over the years—great flower sizes, very consistent crops and bloom counts, very solid performance. We grow both series because the Matrix® tend to have clear faces (but not always), and the Deltas tend to have blotches (but not always). They feature different colors in their line-ups, so grow both to ensure a good selection.
An older Pansy series we still grow is Dynamite. It’s more of a heritage plant, but it still holds up against the modern genetics. Plus it offers unique colors.
The Plentifall Series is being renamed the Cool Wave series by the breeder. We are not sure if this is a true genetics change or just a new name over the same old plant. Plentifall/Cool Wave pansies are a spreading type of pansy that we use for baskets. It takes a long time to get that basket look—pansies are not natural trailers. As spreaders they are perfect for landscaping because they will fill in a bed faster than other cultivars.
We still grow other pansies as well. A client asked us to grow ‘Fizzy Lemonberry’ and it was a fun one. We liked it, so we kept it. Some cultivars we keep because they are simply stunning. ‘Crown Azure’, for example, is just a very true light blue. While it has a smaller flower, it is a very heavy bloomer and is about the best mass blue you can get.
You might wonder why so many pansies exist, but—believe it or not—each one offers its own spin on the pansy look. Some are pastels while others have classic faces or feature great bi-colors; some have large blooms, are extra floriforous, tolerate the heat better or bloom somewhat earlier than the pack. If you are serious about your pansies, cover your bases.
COMPANION PLANTS
Pansies aren’t for everyone—we also have a wide selection of violas including several major series. In addition, we bring along cold-hardy crops of early spring color as well. For example, consider rounding out your early spring bench with:
- Early Alyssum
- Dianthus
- Ajugas
- Sempervivums
- Snapdragons
- Osteospermums (almost ready)
