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PANSY – Under the old name of Heartsease, the Pansy (Viola tricolor var. hortensis) has long been grown in beds and borders because of its ease of culture and the wonderful diversity in color and markings.

This is an annual or a perennial treated as an annual, with long and branching stems, oval leaves, coarsely notched, about 1½ in. long, and stipules ½ in. broad. The flowers are large for Violas, of purple, white or yellow but showing wide variation, not only in color but size and shape as well.

While Pansies will do well in any good light soil, they prefer a sandy, loamy, deep planting where the roots may be kept cool, and a location where they will not be overshadowed by trees or too much exposed to hot dry sun. Ordinary good garden soil to which has been added about ½ well decayed leafmold, humus or finely sifted coal ashes makes an ideal soil.

They are multiplied by seed, cuttings and sometimes by layering. Seed may be sown at any time but, as planting is best performed in spring or early autumn, it is advisable to sow in June for transplanting in autumn and in late August for the early spring transplants. Sow seed in light soil, cover slightly, and transplant to boxes as soon as large enough. It is important that good roots be formed and that balls of soil should adhere before the final setting. Cuttings from side-shoots start readily during late summer. If they are bent over, the side-shoots will also soon root as layers. In some instances the old plants may be divided carefully at the roots.

In planting, press roots firmly and deeply in the soil and, as soon as the flowering period begins, apply a top mulch of humus or leafmold. If exhibition flowers are wanted, from 4 to 6 shoots may be allowed each plant, the remaining ones being removed or pinched out. If all blossoms are removed up until about 3 weeks before the show, the plant will be strengthened and the size of the blossoms increased.

For two leaf spotting fungi that produce whitish spots spray with bordeaux mixture to which potassium oleate has been added as a sticker. If cutworms and slugs feed on leaves and flowers of plants in cold-frames and in the garden they should be sprayed with Sevin. The celery leaf tyer may severely injure pansies under glass.