Funny-faced blooms capture the heart
Have pansies become the most popular springtime plants on the planet?
That title is traditionally accorded to tulips. But after dropping by a whacking great Niagara greenhouse a couple of weeks ago, I wonder if the statuesque cup-shaped beauties have finally been toppled from their No. 1 perch.
Because what I witnessed that day — at Spring Valley Gardens in St. Catharines, Ont. — was truly heartstopping. Tens of thousands (possibly even a million) pansies sat in black plastic cellpacks and big, yellow pots, awaiting shipment to supermarkets and garden centres all over Canada and the northern U.S.
Already in bloom, the flowers stretched as far as the eye could see, in sizzling carpets of oranges, yellows and purples. Van Gogh would have loved it. In fact, were he around nowadays, the mad Dutchman would have undoubtedly plonked himself down in that greenhouse (without asking permission) and begun daubing in a frenzy. Then who knows? Perhaps he’d have produced pansy portraits as unforgettable as his canvasses of sunflowers and irises.
As for me, I felt stirred enough by the sight to go out and buy some cellpacks at my local garden centre a few days later. And while potting them up, it struck me how approachable and user-friendly pansies are (in sharp contrast to haugh- ty tulips). No wonder we love them so much. With those funny “faces,” they do seem to be trying to talk to us.
Some pansy flowers squint, as if the sun hurts their eyes. Others look rather puzzled by the world around them. One seen-everywhere variety, with bright splotches on its petals, is like a kid who’s overdone the facepainting at a birthday party. And the one with “whiskers” reminds me of my cat, Measha Brueggergosman, pursing her mouth, about to sing for her supper.
But whatever the variety, they are easygoing plants, perfectly suited to this still-chilly time of year. If you succumb to their charms too, a few tips:
Pansies dislike heat. They are strictly flowers to enjoy now. Once July comes (or whenever the temperature climbs) they will languish unless watered constantly. So it’s not worth trying to keep them going.
Because they like it cool, don’t combine pansies in containers with later blooming flowers like petunias and geraniums. They are best planted on their own, in window boxes or pots.
Try the look of small clay flowerpots, potted up with just one or two pansy plants apiece — and placed up high on a ledge somewhere. That way you can properly connect with their fascinating “faces.”
Don’t let pansies dry out (which admittedly happens easily, with small pots.) They like to be kept moist, but not sodden.
Pop pansy plants out of cellpacks and there’s probably a big mess of thin white roots lurking underneath. It’s OK to trim these, or simply tear a chunk off, before planting.
Pansy promoters say the plants can withstand frost, and if it’s one or two degrees below zero overnight, they’ll grin and bear it. But I cover mine with a blanket if the temperature is predicted to plummet to -5 C.
Heirloom pansies are gorgeous: terrific colour combinations, and often, ruffled petals. If you see some on sale anywhere, snap them up and save the seed. These historic varieties are becoming rare, mostly because it’s easier and more economical for growers to produce the highly-bred varieties.
But whatever the kind, plant some pansies this year. They’re such a great start to the growing season. soniaday.com