How to Grow Breeders Choice Pansy
Breeders Choice Pansy
Viola × wittrockiana 'Breeders Choice'
flowerBreeders Choice is a hybrid pansy variety known for its vigorous growth and exceptional bloom production throughout the growing season. This cultivar features large, velvety flowers in a wide range of colors and is highly prized for its reliability and disease resistance in both garden beds and containers.
When should you plant Breeders Choice Pansy in your zone?
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Example Breeders Choice Pansy timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Breeders Choice Pansy
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Breeders Choice Pansy blooms
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Breeders Choice Pansy dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; performs best in cooler climates with mild winters
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Get my Breeders Choice Pansy timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysTiny seedlings with cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves. Plants remain small and delicate.
Keep soil consistently moist under grow lights or bright indoor conditions. Maintain temperatures of 65-70°F. Provide good air circulation to prevent damping off.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlants develop multiple sets of true leaves and establish a compact, bushy form. Foliage is green and vigorous.
Thin seedlings or transplant into individual pots once they have 2-3 true leaves. Keep soil moist and provide bright light. Begin hardening off transplants 7-10 days before outdoor planting.
Pre-flowering
2-3 weeksPlant develops dense branching and buds begin forming at branch tips. Foliage is lush and compact.
Pinch back the center stem when 3-4 inches tall to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Ensure adequate light and consistent moisture.
Flowering & Blooming
4-6 months or until frostLarge, velvety flowers bloom prolifically in various color combinations. Flowers may have contrasting blotches or solid colors.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming. Apply low-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Monitor for pests and diseases. Keep foliage dry when watering.
Decline/End of Season
Varies by climateFlowering slows in hot summer heat or after hard frost. Plants may become leggy if temperatures exceed 75°F regularly.
Provide afternoon shade in hot climates. Reduce fertilizer frequency. In spring plantings, plants may recover and rebloom in fall when cooler weather returns.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap for heavy infestations; encourage natural predators like ladybugs
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Increase humidity and mist plants; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; ensure good air circulation
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Hand-pick in early morning; create barriers with diatomaceous earth; use slug bait if necessary; remove hiding spots
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; improve air circulation
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur spray or fungicide at first sign; remove affected leaves
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Water at soil level only; improve drainage; remove affected leaves immediately; apply fungicide if severe
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryPansy flowers are edible and commonly used as garnishes for salads, desserts, and cocktails. They offer a mild, slightly sweet flavor and add vibrant color to dishes. [source]
Garden & Container Ornament
HouseholdBreeders Choice pansies are ideal for garden beds, borders, containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes. Their prolific blooming and wide color range make them popular for landscape design and seasonal displays. [source]
Herbal Infusions
MedicinalPansy flowers have been traditionally used in herbal teas and infusions to support skin health and general wellness. They contain compounds with antioxidant properties. [source]
Pressed Flowers & Crafts
CraftPansy flowers are excellent candidates for pressing and drying due to their flat form and vibrant colors. They are commonly used in pressed flower art, bookmarks, and decorative crafts. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifePansies attract bees and other pollinators with their nectar and pollen, supporting local pollinator populations while providing food sources. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Pansies are not harvested but enjoyed for their flowers in the garden or containers. Deadhead faded blooms by pinching them off to encourage more flower production. Flowers may be cut for short-lived indoor arrangements; harvest in the morning when fully open.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pansies are actually short-lived perennials often grown as annuals; 'Breeders Choice' was developed through careful hybridization to maximize flower size and color range compared to wild pansy species.
- 🌱 The name 'pansy' comes from the French word 'pensée,' meaning 'thought,' and in Victorian times pansies were used to express deep thoughts and memories in the language of flowers.
- 🌱 Pansy flowers have distinctive 'faces' with petal blotches that botanists believe serve as nectar guides for pollinators, directing them to the flower's center.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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