Pansy Oceana

Pansies are an enduring favourite winter and spring flower, bringing spectacular and vibrant colour to hanging baskets, beds and borders during the coldest, darkest time of year. This perfect mix will dazzle with lightly fragranced, extra-large flowers in a fabulous range of blues, purples and creams, many with a contrasting dark splash in the centre and all with a bright yellow eye.

The short, strong stems will support the flowers through ever the harshest winter weather, standing up brilliantly to wind and rain, and giving you a superb display from January right up until June.

Although we tend to plant pansies as something to brighten up the winter garden, discarding them to be replaced by summer bedding, they’re actually hardy perennials that will regrow if cut back after flowering, so you may like to try keeping some for the next year.

Planting Advice:

• Unpack plugs immediately and stand them in water for an hour.
• Plugs may be slightly dry or yellow after being in a dark box in the post, but they’ll quickly recover.
• Put them somewhere warm, light and airy such as a windowsill or greenhouse.
• Plant straight into containers and grow on for a week or two before placing out.
• Give your plants a good water initially, then only when the top compost starts to dry.
• They don’t like to be left in standing water.
• Plant approx. 20cm (8in) apart to allow them room to grow.
• Feed using a high-potash feed such as Blooming Fast Superior Soluble Fertiliser for Flowers & Fruits, to encourage flowering.
• Dead head when flowers fade to encourage more flowers.

Aftercare advice:

• Regular maintenance and watering are essential to grow fabulous containers that last the whole season.
• Check and water containers every day in summer, (unless the compost is wet).
• Aim to keep the compost moist but not soggy and avoid wetting the foliage and flowers.
• From March to June, apply a general-purpose liquid fertiliser once a week.

Pruning and Trimming Advice:

• Deadhead and trim your plants regularly to maintain shape and encourage new flowers.
• Do not allow plants to set seed.