Growing Winter Pansies in December: Tips and Advice for Winter Planting

Winter pansies are a gardener’s favorite for brightening up the garden during the colder months when many other plants are dormant. These hardy, colorful flowers are known for their ability to withstand frost and low temperatures, making them an excellent choice for winter gardens. Planting winter pansies in December will allow you to enjoy vibrant color through the winter and into early spring when other plants are still emerging.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps for planting winter pansies in December, offering tips on choosing the best varieties, preparing the soil, caring for pansies through the winter, and ensuring they thrive in your garden or containers.

Why Plant Winter Pansies in December?

Winter pansies are known for their resilience and ability to bloom even in cold conditions. Planting them in December is ideal if you’re looking to add color to your garden during the winter months and ensure a beautiful display of flowers in the early spring. Winter pansies can withstand frost, and their vibrant blooms will last through winter, reviving when temperatures start to warm.

Even though the weather may be chilly, pansies are built to thrive in cold weather. By planting them in December, you’ll give them a chance to establish their roots, ensuring a strong plant that will bloom through the colder months and into early spring.

Benefits of Planting Winter Pansies in December:

Cold Tolerance: Winter pansies are frost-hardy and can survive freezing temperatures, making them ideal for December planting.
Vibrant Winter Blooms: Winter pansies continue to bloom during the coldest months, adding vibrant color to your garden or containers when little else is flowering.
Extended Bloom Time: Pansies planted in December will continue to bloom throughout winter and into early spring, giving you months of floral color.
Low Maintenance: Once planted, winter pansies require minimal care, making them an easy choice for gardeners looking for reliable winter blooms.

Choosing the Right Winter Pansy Varieties

There are many pansy varieties to choose from, with flowers available in a wide range of colors, including yellows, blues, purples, and bi-colored blooms. When selecting winter pansies for December planting, it’s important to choose varieties that are specifically bred for cold tolerance and winter performance.

Popular Winter Pansy Varieties for December Planting:

Cool Wave Series: Known for their spreading growth habit, Cool Wave pansies are perfect for hanging baskets, containers, and ground cover. They bloom prolifically throughout winter and can handle cold weather with ease.
Matrix Series: These pansies are bred for uniformity in size and color and are known for their excellent cold tolerance. They produce large, colorful flowers and are great for garden beds and containers.
Delta Series: Another cold-hardy variety, Delta pansies come in a wide range of colors and are bred to bloom in lower light and colder temperatures. They are compact and ideal for mass plantings in garden beds or borders.
Ultima Morpho: This stunning variety features unique blue and yellow bi-colored flowers, providing a striking contrast in winter gardens. It’s well-suited to cold weather and makes an eye-catching addition to any garden.
Citrus Mix: If you’re looking for warm, cheerful tones, the Citrus Mix features a blend of bright yellows, oranges, and reds. This variety is hardy and will bring warmth and color to your winter garden.

When selecting winter pansies, look for healthy, compact plants with green leaves and plenty of buds, which will ensure continued blooming through the winter months.

Preparing the Soil for Winter Pansies

Pansies prefer well-drained, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. They thrive in soil that is kept consistently moist but not waterlogged, making proper soil preparation essential for healthy growth, especially when planting in winter.

Steps for Preparing the Soil:

Choose the Right Location: Pansies prefer a spot with full sun to partial shade. While they can tolerate some shade, they bloom best when they receive at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.
Test the Soil: Pansies prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. If necessary, test your soil’s pH and amend it accordingly.
Improve Drainage: Good drainage is essential to prevent pansies from becoming waterlogged, especially during the winter months when the soil may remain wet. If your garden soil is heavy or clay-like, amend it with organic compost or perlite to improve drainage.
Add Organic Matter: Before planting, work in well-rotted compost or manure to enrich the soil. Pansies benefit from nutrient-rich soil that provides the essential elements they need for healthy growth.

How to Plant Winter Pansies in December

Planting winter pansies in December is relatively simple and can be done in garden beds, borders, or containers. With the proper care and placement, they will thrive and provide continuous color through the coldest months.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Winter Pansies:

Dig the Holes: Prepare planting holes that are large enough to accommodate the root ball of each pansy. Space the plants 15-20cm (6-8 inches) apart in garden beds to allow for proper airflow and growth.
Planting Depth: Place each pansy plant in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill the hole with soil and gently firm it down around the plant.
Watering: Water the pansies thoroughly after planting to help the soil settle around the roots. Be careful not to overwater, especially if you’re planting in an area with frequent winter rain.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plants to help insulate the soil, retain moisture, and protect the roots from extreme cold. Organic mulch such as bark chips, straw, or compost works well.

Caring for Winter Pansies Through the Winter

Once planted, winter pansies require minimal care to keep them healthy and blooming throughout the cold months. However, a few simple steps will help ensure they continue to thrive even in freezing temperatures.

Watering

While pansies need consistent moisture, they should not be overwatered. Winter pansies are prone to root rot if the soil becomes too soggy. Check the soil regularly and water only when the top inch feels dry. Avoid watering during freezing temperatures, as excess water can freeze and damage the roots.

Mulching

Mulching is essential for protecting winter pansies during cold weather. A 2-3 inch layer of mulch will insulate the roots, protect them from frost, and reduce temperature fluctuations in the soil. Mulch also helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Deadheading

To encourage continuous blooming, deadhead your pansies by removing spent flowers. This prevents the plants from putting energy into seed production and encourages them to produce more blooms.

Frost Protection

Winter pansies are frost-hardy and can survive light frosts, but in regions with extreme cold or heavy frost, it may be necessary to provide extra protection. Cover the plants with garden fleece or frost cloth if temperatures are expected to drop significantly below freezing. This will help shield the blooms from frost damage and protect the foliage.

Fertilizing Winter Pansies

Winter pansies will benefit from light fertilization to keep them blooming through the winter months. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every four to six weeks, or apply a slow-release fertilizer when planting. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers.

Caring for Pansies in Early Spring

As winter turns to spring, your pansies will continue to bloom vigorously, providing vibrant color as the weather warms up. To keep them healthy and blooming into late spring:

Continue Deadheading: Remove any spent blooms to encourage new flower production.
Fertilize: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to give the plants a boost of nutrients for continued growth.
Watering: As temperatures rise, pansies may need more frequent watering, especially if the weather is dry. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Using Winter Pansies in Containers and Hanging Baskets

Winter pansies are ideal for containers and hanging baskets, where they can provide a cheerful display on porches, patios, and windowsills during the cold months. When planting in containers:

Choose the Right Container: Use containers with good drainage to prevent water from collecting at the bottom. Pansies dislike sitting in water, so ensure the pots have drainage holes.
Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix or add perlite or sand to improve drainage.
Watering: Containers dry out more quickly than garden beds, so water regularly, but avoid letting the soil become too soggy.

Pansies can also be combined with other hardy winter plants like violas, ivy, or ornamental cabbage to create a stunning winter container display.

Conclusion

Winter pansies are the perfect choice for gardeners who want to add vibrant color to their garden during the colder months. Planting pansies in December ensures that your garden remains alive and cheerful, even when other plants are dormant. With their hardiness and low-maintenance care, winter pansies are an easy and rewarding option for both novice and experienced

gardeners.

By following the steps in this guide, you can successfully plant and care for your winter pansies, ensuring they bloom beautifully through the winter and into early spring. Whether you’re planting them in garden beds, containers, or hanging baskets, these resilient flowers will brighten your space with their cheerful colors.

Find out more things you can grow in December here