If you read my last post on instagram, you understand already my obsession with pansies. But just in case you missed it, I am going to reiterate.
For years, my mother and I would race to see who could find pansies first. This competition took place not only in the spring but also in the fall. After I moved from Indiana, mom would journey to Kentucky or vice versa and I would take her around to all the wealth of garden centers to locate our gems.
My mom lived to be 96, so in her golden ages I would just bring her pots of pansies. Each time remembering with love the numerous trips to the nurseries, literally filling the back of my jeep with out beloved flowers. She would gleefully take them to her table at lunch or pick a bunch to give to a friend or just smile and gently stroke the petals.
Not sure how this all got started, perhaps it was the fact that she was a Tri-Delta in college and I was a Theta, for both sororities pansies were the flower symbol. A pansies symbolizes thoughtfulness and its mini-version, violas stand for many deep emotions such as love and faithfulness. Somehow, they just seem the perfect bonding flowers to send us out each spring and fall on fun scavenger hunts.
Pansies do not like hot summers, however they make perfect compliments to other early spring flowers. I can stretch the growing time frame of the Violas by removing them from sunny growing spots and placing them in the shade. Often times they would surprise me by popping up in unsuspecting places. Thus successfully earning its nickname.. "Johnny-Jump Ups ".
For me, it is the beautiful smiling faces of the flowers, the sweet scent and the fact that I can dry the flowers heads. I am fascinated by the fact that they just shrink up to make little pansy and viola buttons. This are great for sending in envelopes to friends and loved ones.
I found an anonymous quote that labeled them as "three faces under one hood". Some research states that Violas are also called "Hearts Ease", which is just perfect for me because that is how they make me feel.
Moving back to Indiana has caused my mind to be flooded with all these memories. I have ignited the spark within my heart to have a wealth of these beauties flooding my pots and gardens in the spring and fall.
Consequently I am trying several different techniques to grow pansies and violas.
#1 The pansies I had in my pots from a fall purchase were still barely hanging in there. So I have placed them in a makeshift winter greenhouse to hopefully allow them to reiamerge in the spring. (This one I fill is rather iffy.)
#2 I have Winter Sowed several different varieties of Violas and Pansies. This method worked for me last year, but they were slow to develop. I fear that I may have waited too long to start this process.
#3 I am also starting some seed on my seed growing station. I read several good articles about starting pansies seedlings and I am following the advice of someone I respect and employing the technique of covering the seeds just until they germinate. Supposedly they need darkness to germinate. After all my spring seed starting is over, I will plant some seeds for the fall.
Lastly, I now know of several great places in close proximity to me to purchase pansies. They always have many different varieties but I an always draw to the very traditional ones that my mom and I used to seek out.
All this pansy and viola talk has made my "Heart at Ease."... Now the next time I am in Atlanta, I need to get my daughter and granddaughter on board this "Pansy Tradition Train".
No comments:
Post a Comment