Garden Column for the Salisbury Post

Darrell Blackwelder

September 27, 2001

  The never ending search for year round color for the landscape
mandates that garden centers and retail outlets provide accent
colors in the fall and throughout the winter months. Ten years
ago pansies were rarely planted in the fall, but with newly
introduced solid­color, heat tolerant varieties make pansies, and
its cousin the viola, a staple for fall planting.
     Pansies provide landscapes with a bright splash of
color replacing spent summer annuals and fading perennials.
Pansies are also used in shrub plantings as accent plants or in
mass for continuous show of color throughout the fall and spring.
   Pansies now come in a vast array of colors ranging from
vivid blues to faint pink pastels, either "faced" or a solid
color.  "Majestic Giant" series produces a multi­colored or
solid color flower which is the most popular plant grown
sold in Rowan County. Another pansy series that is gaining
popularity is the "Delta" series because of the small
compact structures. Some of the newer series have more
"pastel" colors which give landscapers and designers more
options for color in the landscape.
	Retail outlets and nurseries have stocked extra flats of red
white and blue pansey plants. Many will be planting red, white
and blue this fall in memory to those that were lost on September
11. These plant will go fast so don't hesitate with your purchase
if you're considering a patiotic planing.
     Pansies grow best in cooler weather in the fall and
early spring. These plants over­winter providing massive
color in the spring. Pansies tolerate extremely cold
temperatures, but cold damage can occur if plants are not
well established. Pansies need to become established before
cold weather arrives. Ideally, plants should be to be planted and
well acclimated by mid­October.
     Pansies need full sun for the best show of color. Root
systems need to be well developed before arrival of the
heaving and thawing of winter.
     Pansies need to be planted in well­tilled soils with
soil conditioners and ground bark to loosen tight clay soils
and provide ample pore space for root expansion. Permatil is
an excellant soil amendment that helps reduce tight clay
soils.  Avoid working in clay soils when the soil is wet.
Water soluble fertilizers with high rates of phosphorus
are excellent for root development and promoting bloom.
     Organic growers can utilize bone meal and cotton seed
meal as sources of organic phosphorous. Blood meal is a good
bloom booster supplying plants with organic nitrogen.
     Homeowners should monitor plants fertilizing peri­
odically throughout the fall and early winter to achieve
maximum growth for better winter survival however, avoid
using high nitrogen fertilizers.  Excess nitrogen fertilization
over-stimulates plants causing them to stretch and become
leggy during unseasonably warm days.
     Mulch plants with finely ground pine bark to conserve
moisture and protect roots from freezing and heaving.
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