This is one of the more familiar of winter annuals. Yet, pansy, Viola X wittrockiana, is not just one species. It is a diverse group of hybrids of a few species, and includes viola and Johnny-jump-up. Generally, viola and Johnny-jump-up have smaller and simpler flowers. Pansy generates relatively larger and more colorful flowers, with more intricate patterns.
The most recognizable feature of popular pansy is the distinctive floral patterns that look like floral faces. Individual flowers may display a few distinct colors within such patterns. Alternatively, flowers may be a single color. The color range includes white, blue, purple, yellow, orange, rusty red and black. Big flowers can be as wide as two and a half inches.
Locally, pansy is a winter annual. The best bloom begins about now. If the coolest winter weather inhibits bloom, it is only temporary. Bloom is likely to resume before a lapse gets obvious. Although pansy is a summer annuals in other climates, it does not perform well in the locally arid climate during warm weather. Plants might get six inches tall and wide.
Tony Tomeo 
Love them! So delicate flowers 🌸
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They are difficult to dislike. Even I would grow them, and I do not waste my effort on annual color. However, when I grew a few many years ago, they were all white, which is rather boring for them. I may grow them for the following winter (2022/2023), and would like to try alternating white with black.
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I love them and plant them in autumn too. They usually die back in winter here and then bounce back in spring, even after very cold periods. Just a little sunshine and they are rejuvenated! They seed around too. 😃
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It does not get cold enough for them to notice here, although I noticed them in the Sierra Nevada and Reno, where they survive for a little while under snow. I am impressed.
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That is a very pretty photo. We also plant pansies here for the winter. I can only have them in the fenced in back yard as deer eat them in the front.
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Thank you. The picture is actually of what we know as a viola, which I think of a smaller pansy. Some of my favorite pansies are not much bigger, with single colors; ‘Clear Crystal’.
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I love these and am glad they do well in the cold weather. They give us some good color when we’re most in need of it. Plus, they’re cute, with their little faces.
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Yes, that is what most of us remember about them; their little faces. I should get more adventurous and try some that are more interesting than plain white.
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I really like the colored ones, especially the purple and yellow, but the oranges and lavender ones are nice too. It’s good to mix it up.
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Precisely, especially with flowers that do it so well. Although white is my favorite color, it is not the best color for all flowers, and many flowers are at their best with other colors. Pansies can provide such distinctive colors and color combinations!
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