Swiss Giants Mix Pansy Seeds

Native to Switzerland, Swiss Giants Pansies, also known as Viola wittrockiana, are renowned for their resilient and hardy nature. These pansies were carefully cultivated over generations to produce large, expressive flowers that captivate with their radiant colour display.

Their enduring allure lies in the bold, colourful blooms reaching up to 3 inches in diameter, displaying a kaleidoscope of colours – from violet, blue, and yellow to white and even enchanting bicolour combinations.

Swiss Giants Pansies are perfectly suited to thrive in diverse climates, demonstrating impressive adaptability. These hardy flowers are not just for vast garden spaces. Swiss Giants Pansies thrive beautifully in borders, bedding, containers or window boxes, making them a perfect choice for those with limited space or wanting to add a burst of colour to patios, balconies, or indoor settings.

They also make a striking cut flower arrangement, bringing the warmth of your garden indoors. Swiss Giants Pansy flowers are edible, they have a mild, slightly sweet flavour, making them a popular choice for garnishing salads, desserts, and cocktails.

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

Violas are an excellent cool climate flower. They’re perfectly content starting and ending the season in cold weather. In warm climates, violas should be planted in the fall and planted in the spring in cold regions.

Seeds can be started indoors eight to ten weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds in flats of pots and cover lightly but completely with soil. They will need the dark to germinate. Water well and set in a warm space, around 21 degrees, and keep moist. After germination in 10-14 days, set them in a sunny location or under lights. Thin them out when the first true leaves appear. As the weather warms outside, they can be set out to harden off.

It works better in regions with long growing seasons, but seeds can also be sown directly into the garden. Prepare the bed with some compost. Loosen the soil, sow the seeds and cover with a thin layer of soil. Keep the bed moist and thin seedlings to 15-20 cm apart. Seedlings can be relocated and transplanted elsewhere in the garden.

Violas prefer full sun, but not if it brings too much heat. Afternoon shade in the summer is ideal. Moist soil with plenty of organic material is the best situation for violas. They can tolerate some drought periods and should dry out in between waterings, but they bloom the best with regular waterings. Temperatures within the range of 5-21 degrees is optimal weather for growth and steady blooming. Violas will typically bloom 12-14 weeks after starting from seed. They have the tendency to stop producing flowers or die back during hot summer months.

Add mulch and frequent water to help them withstand the summer heat. Deadhead constantly as the blooms come and go. Violas will thrive in woodland settings and can be effectively mixed in with other cool weather flowers like snapdragons and calendula. Pop them in between tulips and daffodils to add colour after the spring bulbs fade. Violas' durable nature makes them great for containers, hanging baskets and window boxes. In colder regions, they’ll bloom from spring straight through the fall. 

QUICK FACTS

- Wild Pansy was mentioned by the ancient Romans as being a white flower before it was struck by one of Cupid’s arrows.

- Quite a mythological flower, it was the main ingredient in the love potion of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.

- Wild Pansies have been cultivated for medicinal purposes for a long time, as it is said to treat rheumatism, respiratory problems, epilepsy and eczema.

- Viola seeds will remain viable for 1 year if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.