Pansies also are easy to grow and are resistant to most diseases and pest damage, says Dr. Dave Williams, Extension horticulturist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. A late fall and winter bloomer, the pansy is a small plant no more than 9 inches tall and width. The foliage is medium green with oval or heart-shaped leaves. Gardeners can grow pansies from seed or buy plants in flats at a local nursery.
Pansies come in a variety of colors including red, yellow, blue, violet, white and pink.
Some have faces or dark blotches in the center. Yellow and blue flowers have the strongest scent. When choosing pansies from a nursery, select colors that suit your garden design, says Williams. Select plants that are stocky with dark-green foliage and have few blooms but many buds. Choose a planting location that receives morning sun and drains well.