Pansy

Violas and pansies are irresistable with their cheeky little faces. I enjoy looking at their different colour designs and trying to work out possible parents. I love what my bees do to pansy designs. These plants have big hearts. They appear in the toughest places and can flower at all times of the year.

cheeky faced pansy

My most favourite pansies in the garden are blue and yellow, and I conscientiously collect and label seed each summer. My colour descriptions are quaintly precise - for example, how could I forget the "light blue top yellow bottom maroon blotches " ones?

I've bought packets of well known seed varieties. My favourite used to be a variety called "Romeo and Juliet", which were like the colours of old ball dresses - muted rose pinks and rich creams. Most of the blue and lemon varieties of viola were started from seeds ordered from my favourite catalogue.