November 7, 2023
After what seemed like the summer that would not die, the trees begin to show color, we get rain and an early frost… it is time to plant pansies, violas and their friends for color that will carry us into spring.
Members of Violaceae family, pansies and violas can be traced back to their wild relatives in 4th Century Europe. These sweet flowers have long been associated with love and thoughtfulness. As plant cousins, all pansies are violas but not all violas are pansies. In general (and perhaps easier to remember) pansies tend to have larger but fewer blooms, while violas have more but smaller blooms.
Appearing quite delicate, they are surprisingly sturdy and are extensively used as bedding plants across Dallas County. Because they do not like intense heat, we plant them when cooler weather finally sets in, knowing they will fade away when our weather once again heats up. Autumn planting is designed to allow pansy and viola roots to develop before the weather turns especially cold.
Plant these cousins in rich well drained soil in a sunny spot, for best blooming. Place plants 6-10 inches apart in beds or add them to pots with drainage holes. That spot under your deciduous tree might be perfectly bright this winter, or perhaps you have pots with annuals that are ready for something new.
Grown for instant color, pansies were fed heavily in the greenhouse, so don’t starve them when you get them home. If you haven’t already added organic matter to your beds, plan to add a good well-balanced fertilizer, with light monthly feedings for both beds and pots. You may find a time release product works better for you.
Mulch after planting, leaving a gap around the plant stem. That few inches of mulch will help keep moisture and temperatures moderated. Water your new transplants in well and plan to keep them moist but not soggy. Let the soil dry out only slightly between waterings.
All varieties can handle light frost. Some varieties will reportedly survive single digit temps IF they have have a chance to develop a good root system and are planted in an ideal microclimate, but you will have to wait for new flowers to grow from the center.
That crucial time needed for pansies to get rooted in can be just too short here in Dallas. This year was no exception! Rather than risking the loss of their lovely color, water your plants well when temperatures are expected to drop to 20 or below. Move containers to protected areas if possible and cover your pansies with frost cloth. Sheets and blankets can work but avoid plastic.
Pansies and violas aren’t our only options for winter gardening. It is no accident that this year our pansy sale includes alyssum, kale, mustard, and bright lights chard. They all play nicely together and have similar needs.
Ornamental kale is a frilly leaved member of the Brassica family that have been developed for their looks, rather than for their flavor. Looking like extremely large rose blossoms, they need cooler weather to fully develop their color variations. If we encounter a dry spell they will need water and plan on adding a good, high nitrogen fertilizer in December.
Swiss chard has been called beets without roots and was one of the first vegetables to be sold as an ornamental. Bright Lights is the 1998 All American selection that can add gold, red, yellow and orange stalks and veins to containers and borders…and it is edible! This could be just the “thriller” your containers want this winter.
Red Giant Mustard is another lovely and edible plant that brings maroon leaves with bright green ribs and what is called a “zesty” bite. These leaves will play nicely with kales and pansies.
Last but certainly not consider alyssum in shades of white and purple. The Crystal Clear white and purple alyssum are historically a cool season annual here, fading when our heat returns. The newer White Stream is a 2013 Texas Superstar plant bred to survive into summer and does not tolerate freezing. Both varieties form sweet smelling mats and can fill in between other plants or stand on their own in a pot.
Surely you have a spot for one or more of these in your winter garden? And if you purchased some of these plants from our sale, our hearfelt thanks will surely boost your winter garden to beauty.
Mary Freede, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005
PIck up is Wednesday, November 8th from 10-2 under the shade pavilion on the North side of the garden.
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 