No deadheading of spent flowers or other maintenance was performed on any of the plants with the exception of hand weeding. Flowering plants were rated primarily on their floral displays, while size, shape, and freedom from insect or disease blemishes also were considered. Any plant with an average rating of 2.5 or higher over the trial period could be considered acceptable in the landscape and would be a worthwhile addition to a garden located in temperate zone seven or eight. These plants are pansy-like violas with smaller, but more numerous flowers than pansies. All cultivars in the top 19 were compact, low to the ground, and full of small, attractive, pansy-like flowers during most of the winter months.
Pansies are the traditional cool-season annual for fall planting in the southeastern United States.
All cultivars rated 2.8 or higher are shown in Table 2. Though the cultivars in Table 2 are from a variety of sources, six cultivars are from the Universal series, three cultivars are from the Rally series, and two cultivars each are from the Accord and Baby Bingo series. Two other species that may be considered for winter planting in Alabama gardens are China pinks and snapdragons. During mild winters, the plants can maintain foliage through the season. Even in severe winters, foliage may be killed to the ground, but will resume growth and flower early in the spring.