Did you know?

■ The panola is the result of crossing a viola and a pansy – they flourish in winter, with the abundance of blooms you expect from violas, plus the large size of flower you get in a pansy. This useful hybrid was developed by Waller Genetics in California.

■ The common name pansy comes from the French word pensže, which translates as ‘thought’.

■ Pansy and viola flowers are edible ( just the petals) – add them to salads or crystallise and use to decorate cakes.