Garden pansy

Viola × wittrockiana

Hybrid bedding pansy with larger flowers than Viola tricolor in almost every colour combination, with the characteristic face markings. The mainstay of cool-season bedding worldwide.

Hardiness ratings

Garden pansy hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −34.4 °C to −6.7 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −29 °C to −1 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–6 −15 °C to 15 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating

As a tender annual, Garden pansy doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.

Growing notes

  • Plant as autumn-into-spring bedding in cool temperate climates and as winter bedding in warm-temperate / Mediterranean climates
  • Edible flowers — petals are mildly sweet and used as salad garnish, candied for cake decoration, and frozen into ice cubes
  • Long blooming and cold tolerant — flowers continue through light frost

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Garden pansy against your zones

Reference

Garden pansy on Wikipedia