Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by Real Men Sow
The difference between pansies and violas is not that much. However, not all Violas are Pansies, but all pansies are all Violas. Confusing, right? The two terms are almost interchangeable, as they both come from the same origin. It’s possible that the distinctions between these plants will have an impact on which one is the most useful for landscaping your home garden.
It is good to note that a Pansy is a flower with four petals that point upwards and one that points downwards. A Viola has two petals that point upward and three petals that point downward.
Violas – Viola tricolor
The Viola flowers are much smaller than their Pansy counterparts, about the same size as a nickel, but they are also more plentiful. Violas are also more tolerant to heat and cold, which means that they have a longer blooming season. Although the range of colors isn’t as wide as Pansies, there are still many solid colors available. However, you can also get mixes such as Penny Citrus Mix, which is a fun combination of orange, yellow, and white.
Pansies – Viola wittrockiana
They are probably the most well-known cool-weather flower. This is because they were created by crossing the Viola tradition with wild Viola varieties. The large, colorful pansies are characterized by their compact, dark-green plants and bright colors. These vibrant additions to the autumn landscape love full sunlight and can be purchased in “series”, with bright saturated colors, playful faces, or traditional Victorian Era ruffles. We’ll share our favorite picks from so many options:
- Delta series – Largest color selection with 32 colors and 20 premixed combinations
- Majestic Giant Series – Extra large 4″ flowers with dark centers blotch. You can now choose from solid yellow, white, or purple colors.
- Crown series – Nine clear colors, early flowering
Violas and Pansy flowers can be eaten and used to decorate cakes, cookies, and other baked goods.
How to Work Pansies and Violas Into Your Landscape
Pansies are generally slightly taller and wider than violas. Mixing violas and pansies can create a vibrant display. Pansies and violas can be planted in front of perennial shrubs that aren’t flowering or bloom only once a season.
Violets and pansies require moist soil that drains well. They are not able to tolerate clay and loam soils. Some species of violas and pansies prefer coarse soil. Ask your gardener what kind of soil would work best for them. You can control the soil and sunlight by planting the flowers in containers.
Mixing pansies with violas is possible by planting the violas at the base of your garden. They need to be directly in front of the taller pansies. The violas like to be planted close together. You should plant pansies six inches apart. However, you can plant them as far as 10 inches apart in a landscape.
