John Rickard
Family
Violaceae
Botanical Name
Viola x wittrockiana( MAJESTIC GIANT II SERIES)
Plant Common Name
Majestic Giant II Pansy, Pansy
General Description
In the Lilliputian world of pansies, these plants live up to their name. The members of the Majestic Giant II Series have extra large flowers that rise above the foliage on relatively tall stems. When the weather is cool and accommodating, their cheerful pansies, with their familiar "face" markings, bloom in shades of yellow, blue, purple, orange, and red. Majestic Giant II pansies flower more consistently and are more compact than the original Majestic Giants.
Pansies are one of the most beloved of all garden flowers. Their beautiful, expressive flowers offer some of the most interesting diverse color combinations. Though typically grown as annuals, these are actually short-lived, cool season perennials. Viola x wittrockiana is a hybrid made up of a complex mix of species including Viola tricolor, V. lutea, V. altaica, and V. cornuta, among others.
The compact plants have semi-evergreen leaves of medium green with a rounded shape and scalloped edges. Blooming commonly occurs from fall to spring, or whenever the weather is not too cold or hot. Its distinctive flowers are large, flat-faced and have five rounded petals. They come in shades of white, violet-blue, lavender, purple, orange, yellow, pink, red, or near black. Most are bi-colored or multi-colored and subtly fragrant. They are pollinated by bees, among other insects. Green, bulbous seed capsules follow. As they age, they burst open to expel lots of small, brown seeds.
Overall, pansies prefer sites with full to partial sun and moist, fertile, well-drained soil with a slightly acid to neutral pH. Plants bloom continuously in regions where the growing season is generally cool but will refrain from blooming as the weather heats up. Slugs favor the foliage and are particularly problematic when conditions are cool and wet. Otherwise, these are carefree garden plants.
Pansies are best used in container plantings and garden edges. Their broad suite of colors offers limitless design possibilities. As a bonus, the petals make a colorful addition to green salads and can be candied to decorate desserts.
