Cool Weather Annuals

Pansies and Beyond!

By Susan Leigh Anthony, garden consultant

In the beginning stages of Spring, folks start to really feel the need for some floral color in their yards.  They look at the tired holiday greens in their containers and think- Ok, you’re outta here, and I’m heading to Kennedy’s to find some fresh, pretty plants to perk things up!

Of course, what you put in must be fairly cold tolerant, and you think, “Ahhh, Pansies!”- and you are right. Pansies, and Violas, are wonderfully cold tolerant and come in a vast array of colors, shades of yellow, blue, purple, orange, gold, burgundy, white, pink shades, and even some with sweet faced markings.  Here’s an interesting bit of information- All Pansies are Violas but not all Violas are Pansies. If the flower has four petals pointing upward and only one pointing downward – then it’s a Pansy. If the flower has two petals pointing upward and three petals pointing downward – it’s a Viola.

What many don’t realize is that there are so many other cool weather annuals, that marry well with the violas and some spring bulbs. In the early spring we typically have a nice selection of Tulips, Hyacinths and Daffodils., and there are also some gorgeous perennials on the benches, which can be used successfully in containers, either on their own, or mixed with cool weather annuals.  Ones with foliage interest are particularly good for this purpose. The bulbs and perennials can later be planted in the ground and will come back next year.

You may also drop off your containers and we can plant them up for you- just give us an idea of the colors you like and any other specifics. You can then do a curbside pickup.

Here is list of beautiful and varied types of annuals that do great in the cooler weather- we have them all in multiple colors. Each of them can usually be found at Kennedy’s Country Gardens!

Pansy
Viola
Nemesia
Argyranthemum
Lobularia
Lobelia
Osteospermum
Petunia
Ranunculus
Snapdragons
Linaria or Toadflax
Calendula
Diascia
Marigold
Percallis
Dusty Miller
Cyclamen
Forget-me-not
Poppy’s
Stock