Identification

• Pansies are closely related to violas and Johnny jump-ups: 17 genera and 800 species exist within the Violaceae plant family. Pansies fall into the Viola genus and are called Viola tricolor. One or more of these species grows on all of Earth's continents, except Antarctica. Pansy flowers range in size from tiny to more than one inch across, but all pansy flowers have five petals and five sepals. Flowers range from pure white to deep purple and bicolored.
  
  

When to Plant

• Although many varieties of pansies survive the cold winter, they perform more successfully if set out in the fall. Many pansy varieties bloom in the fall and winter, especially in warmer climate zones such as California. The Texas A&M University website calls the pansy a "plant for all seasons." It is generally safer to plant pansy bedding plants in fall instead of waiting for winter.
  
  

Appropriate Variety

• A special pansy was developed in 2002 to survive cold winter weather, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension website. It's called the Icicle pansy and is guaranteed to survive cold winter weather and bloom in spring. The Icicle pansy comes in many flower colors, including white, blue, yellow, purple, lavender and orange.
  
  

Growing Winter Pansies

• In fall, purchase bedding plants at your nursery for instant color. Choose a spot with morning sun. Add compost or other organic materials to the soil to improve drainage and fertility. Plant pansies 6 to 10 inches apart and keep them well watered until they begin showing signs of new growth. Spread a layer of mulch, such as compost, on the soil in your planting area, to keep the soil moist.