Pansy Viola × williamsiana 'Floral Power'
ABOUT
The Viola × williamsiana 'Floral Power' is a hybrid variety commonly known as the pansy. It is celebrated for its striking, colorful flowers which have a distinctive face-like pattern. The blooms display a vibrant array of colors, often with two or more shades on the same petal. These petals are soft and velvety to the touch. The leaves of the plant are usually lush green, with a slightly rounded heart shape. They could be crinkled or smooth, forming a dense foliage that lays the stage for the expressive flowers. The plant grows in a clumping manner, presenting a lush appearance. Pansies in this hybrid category are also known for their relatively long blooming period, which enables the display of their ornamental flowers across many months. The plant overall possesses an alluring and cheerful presence, making it a popular choice for gardeners wanting to add a splash of lasting color to their landscapes.
About this plant
- Names
Synonyms
Williams' Violet, Spiked Violet, Horned Violet
Common names
Viola × williamsiana 'Floral Power'.
- Toxicity
To humans
Pansies are generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, they can cause mild stomach upset if ingested in large quantities. It is always best to avoid eating any part of ornamental plants unless they are known to be edible.
To pets
Pansies are typically safe for pets and are not known to be toxic. If a pet ingests a large amount of the plant, gastrointestinal upset might occur, but this is unlikely with casual nibbling. Always keep an eye on your pets to ensure they do not consume plants excessively.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
0.5 feet [15 cm]
Spread
0.5 feet [15 cm]
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Japan
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Low Maintenance: The plant typically requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all levels.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With a range of colors, they add vibrant beauty to gardens and landscapes.
- Extended Bloom Time: They often flower for long periods, offering visual interest across multiple seasons.
- Attracts Pollinators: Flowers can attract butterflies and bees, which are beneficial for pollination in the garden.
- Versatile Use: The plants can be used in borders, as ground cover, or in containers, providing flexibility in garden design.
- Deer Resistance: They are less palatable to deer, reducing the damage caused by wildlife in the garden.
- Compact Size: Their small stature makes them ideal for planting in small spaces or as part of a mixed planting.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Crafting Natural Dyes: The petals of the pansy can be used to extract natural pigments for fabric dyeing, offering a range of colors from green to yellow, depending on the mordant used.
- Culinary Garnishes: Pansy flowers are edible and can be used to garnish salads, desserts, and drinks, adding a splash of color and a subtle floral flavor.
- Flower Pressing: Pansies are ideal for pressing due to their flat faces, and can be used in crafting bookmarks, greeting cards, or framed botanical art.
- Eco-Friendly Confetti: Dried pansy petals can serve as biodegradable confetti for weddings and other celebrations, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic.
- Botanical Perfumery: Although not commonly used in perfumery, the subtle scent of pansies can be captured by enfleurage to create unique, botanical fragrances.
- Photography Subjects: With their vivid colors and patterns, pansy flowers make excellent subjects for macro photography and artistic floral compositions.
- Fairy Gardens: Pansies' whimsical appearance can be used to create enchanting fairy gardens, especially appealing to children's imagination.
- Edible Ice Cubes: Freezing pansy flowers in ice cubes creates decorative elements for punch bowls and cocktails, perfect for special occasions.
- Tea Flavoring: Though not a common practice, pansy petals can be added to herbal teas for a light floral note and decorative touch.
- Plant-based Crafts: The flexible stems and colorful flowers of pansies can be incorporated into wreaths, floral crowns, and other plant-based crafts.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Pansy is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Pansy is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Love: The viola is a symbol of love. In Victorian times, these flowers were part of the tussie-mussie bouquets, which were used to send messages to loved ones, often in a secret language of flowers.
- Innocence: With its delicate structure and tender appearance, the viola is often associated with innocence and purity.
- Remembrance: In some traditions, the viola is a symbol of remembrance. It is used to signify that the giver's thoughts are with the recipient, both in times of happiness and in mourning.
- Spiritual wisdom: The viola can also represent spiritual wisdom, perhaps because of its name's association with the violin, an instrument often linked with deep emotion and the divine.
- Humility: The small size and unassuming nature of the viola have made it a symbol of humility and modesty.
- Water
Pansies, including the Viola × williamsiana 'Floral Power', prefer evenly moist soil, so regular watering is essential. Water the plant thoroughly once the top inch of the soil feels dry, which is typically every few days, depending on the climate and weather conditions. During hot or windy periods, pansies may need daily watering, while during cooler or rainy times, watering frequency can be reduced. As a general guideline, provide the pansies with about one inch of water per week, which equals to approximately 0.623 gallons for a square foot of soil.
- Light
Pansies thrive in full to partial sunlight, so Viola × williamsiana 'Floral Power' should be planted in an area where it receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. They can tolerate some shade, especially during the hottest part of the day, but too much shade can lead to poor growth and fewer flowers. A spot that offers morning sunlight with dappled afternoon shade is often ideal for these plants to flourish.
- Temperature
Pansies, such as the Viola × williamsiana 'Floral Power', perform best in cooler temperatures, typically between 40°F and 60°F. They can survive short periods when temperatures drop to as low as 20°F but should be protected or brought indoors if colder temperatures are anticipated. Ideal growing conditions for pansies during the day are between 60°F and 65°F, with cooler nighttime temperatures.
- Pruning
Viola × williamsiana 'Floral Power' pansies benefit from deadheading, which is the process of removing faded or dead flowers to encourage more blooms. Prune pansies regularly, typically once a week, to maintain a tidy appearance and to promote continuous flowering. The best time for pruning is in the cooler part of the day, either in the morning or in the evening, to reduce stress on the plants.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
The Johnny Jump Up prefers a well-draining soil mix enriched with organic matter, in a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, which is slightly acidic to neutral. A mixture of potting soil, compost, and perlite or vermiculite will support healthy growth.
- Repotting
Johnny Jump Ups should be repotted every 1-2 years, or when root-bound, usually in the spring before the growing season begins.
- Humidity & Misting
Johnny Jump Ups do well in a range of humidity levels but prefer average room humidity around 40-50%.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Provide bright, indirect sunlight and keep soil moist for indoor Johnny Jump Ups.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade to full sun and ensure well-draining soil for outdoor Johnny Jump Ups.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
- Life cycle
Viola × williamsiana 'Floral Power', also known as Pansy, begins its life as a seed, typically sown in late winter to early spring under cover for early blooming or directly outdoors once the soil is workable. After germination, which takes 1-2 weeks, the seedling stage sees the development of the first true leaves, establishing the plant’s initial foliage. Gradually, it enters the vegetative growth stage, where the Pansy develops a fuller structure with more leaves and a stronger root system, over a period of several weeks. This is followed by the flowering stage, where the plant produces vibrant flowers, often around spring to early summer, but with the right conditions, it may bloom in autumn as well. After pollination, typically by insects, the Pansy sets seed, which are then dispersed to give rise to new plants. In perennial growing zones, Pansies will go through a dormancy period in the colder months before resuming growth and bloom cycles, whereas, in colder regions, they may be treated as annuals.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Viola × williamsiana 'Floral Power', commonly known as Pansy, is typically propagated by seed. Seeds can be sown in late winter to early spring, depending on the climate. To propagate by seed, fill a tray with seed-starting mix and scatter the tiny seeds on the surface, pressing them gently into the mix, as they need light to germinate. Cover the tray with a plastic dome or wrap to maintain humidity and keep the soil moist but not saturated. Place the tray in a bright area but out of direct sunlight with a temperature between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 18 to 21 degrees Celsius). Seedlings usually emerge in 1 to 2 weeks. Once they have a couple of true leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots or into the garden.