Pansy

Viola x wittrockiana

Pansy is an annual for edging, groundcover, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay or loam, flowering Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov.

Where to use it in a border

At around 20 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 25 cm of room to spread, roughly 4 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 2a to 10b, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of full sun, clay soil, pollinator-friendly plants.

Border Builder uses Pansy's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• African Marigoldto edge in front
• Cockscombfor height behind it
• Speedwell 'Royal Candles'to edge in front
• Zonal Geraniumto edge in front
• Dianthus 'Firewitch'to edge in front
• Floss Flowerto edge in front

Garden styles

Cottage garden Formal Foundation planting