A florist says these are the most stunning pansies to grow this year
These beautiful varieties of pansies, which can be grown from seed, are a far cry from what you typically find in nursery six-packs. If there’s one flower that’s been unfairly typecast in recent decades, it’s the pansy. “People think of it as this short, cool-season filler flower, nothing more,” says florist Brenna Estrada, author of the new book Pansies. But when you grow pansies from seed, a whole new world of flowers opens up, including varieties that are tall enough to display in a vase. Of the hundreds of varieties Estrada has tested over seven years, these are her 10 favorite pansies for their beautiful, reliable, and surprising blooms.
1. ‘Chianti Mix’ Pansy
Estrada calls this mix “an Italian masterpiece,” thanks to the flowers’ curly petals with occasional scalloped edges. Expect a variety of colors, including pale peach and pink, some yellow and purple, and “a few lucky petals with a dash of raspberry and garnet,” she says. It’s a favorite of floral designers, with stems reaching 20 inches tall and flowers up to 2 inches wide.
2. ‘Flamenco Soft Azure Limonete’ Pansy
“Of all the soft shades I’ve tried, this is my favorite,” says Estrada. “It comes in every shade of soft pink and lavender, often with a hint of ocean blue shimmer and sometimes soft pools of pale gold.” The up to 2-inch-wide blooms have plenty of ruffles and scalloped edges to add extra charm; the stems climb to 20 inches tall.
3. ‘Flamenco Terracotta’ Pansy
Imagine ‘Chianti Mix’ in overdrive, and you have ‘Flamenco Terracotta.’ “While it blooms in colors similar to ‘Chianti Mix,’ it often blooms with thick shades and heavy whorls,” says Estrada. In addition, she says, “the intricate veining is exceptional” and it has a lovely fragrance. Its flowers are a little over 2 inches wide and the stems can grow to an average of 20 inches tall.
4. ‘Imperial Antique Shades’ Pansy
‘Imperial Antique Shades’ pansies have a faded, antique beauty, blooming in shades of blush, pale peach, and lemon yellow. With flowers that are 2-3 inches wide and stems that can reach 20 inches tall, “it looks absolutely stunning in bouquets and vases,” says Estrada.
5. ‘Arkright Ruby’ Viola
If you want a sure thing in your garden, Estrada recommends ‘Arkright Ruby,’ which has scarlet red petals with yellow eyes. A very reliable variety grown from seed, it averages 24 inches tall—perfect for cutting. “When planted close to a trellis, it has the ability to climb to over 30 inches,” he says.
6. ‘Brush Strokes’ Viola
The flowers in the ‘Brush Strokes’ mix have a unique, eye-catching beauty. “Each flower looks like it was hand-painted, and the variation from flower to flower is amazing,” says Estrada. Expect flowers an inch or more wide on 18-inch-tall stems.
7. ‘Gem Apricot Antique’ Viola
In addition to their soft, romantic colors, ‘Gem Apricot Antique’ petals also have an opaque cast and purple veins. The flowers reach just over an inch wide on 14-inch stems. “It has a good stem length and can fill a vase nicely, but the flower size is a bit smaller, making it a great choice for baking and cooking,” says Estrada.
8. ‘Tiger Eye’ Viola
“This is my favorite of all the violas I grow,” says Estrada, pointing to its distinctive deep gold petals and striking dark brown veins. “It’s very fragrant, with a scent of chocolate and honey that can permeate the air around it on a warm summer evening.” The stems reach about 16 inches tall, adorned with flowers that are an inch or so wide.
9. ‘Accord Black Beauty’ Pansy
Meet the black pansy: “There’s something so elegant and mysterious about it,” says Estrada. “The petals, which appear to be made of velvet, give the illusion of infinite depth that shimmers within them.” The flowers on 'Accord Black Beauty' are about 1-2 inches wide on 22-inch-tall stems; Estrada likes their appearance in a white vase.
10. 'Black Prince' Pansy
This variety is a close match for her favorite black pansy, 'Accord,' says Estrada. "'Black Prince' has good color and stem length, but I've found that, uniquely, the flowers occasionally open in a heart shape. How can you not love that?" It bears flowers up to 2 inches wide on 22-inch-tall stems.
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