Wondering if it’s okay to put pansies outside? At Van Wilgen’s we have a saying: pansies are tiny but tough. You might think they should be kept inside this time of year, but these spring annuals are not meant to be coffee table plants… they love the cool temps!

Ideally, you’ll want to keep these annuals between 45 and 65 degrees and in full sun, though they can tolerate temperatures as low as 28 degrees! If the pansies are frozen, any ice will melt in the morning sun and they’ll bounce right back to life. Unless you have a cold area in your house, they will begin wilting indoors in a day or two. If you’re worried about a steep temperature drop outside you can cover them overnight with a sheet or a box. If they aren’t planted, you can bring them in overnight before you go to bed but make sure they’re out again by the time you make the coffee in the morning.

Pansies typically last from March to the end of June so it’s the perfect time to take some home to brighten up your front door for instant springtime color. In cooler summers, they can even last as late as the end of August. To prolong the season and promote more flowers, be sure to deadhead your pansies as much as possible, and keep them in tip-top shape with Van Wilgen’s Super Bloom Booster.

No matter what color you prefer or how you enjoy them, pick up a few pansies now and enjoy these tough little signs of spring!

One of the best ways to dress up your outside porches and patios is adding a fun and decorative Spring containers. Imagine How soothing it would be to walk outside with your morning coffee to be greeted by these beautiful additions to your home? Get started by finding the perfect planter – choose a fun color or pattern, or get creative and use an unexpected object.

Important! Just check to make sure the container has drainage holes at the bottom and you’re good to go!

• Tip 1
  We recommend using Van Wilgen’s Professional Potting Mix to fill the container and then mixing in Van Wilgen’s All-Purpose Slow Release Fertilizer with the soil to give it that extra oomph!
• Tip 2
  Think outside the pot! Try using annuals, perennials, herbs and even houseplants for a diverse-looking planter.
• Tip 3
  Color is important and creates visual harmony. Check out a color wheel when picking out color arrangements.

Complimentary colors
Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel blend well, e.g., Blues and violets complement oranges and yellows and red complements green.

Analagous colors.
Colors groups, think “Blues” or “Yellows” that are next to each other on the color wheel e.g., blue, blue-violet, blue-green or yellow-green, yellow, yellow-orange blend well since they share the same hues.

Triadic colors
You can also create dynamic and vibrant combinations using 3 colors that are equidistant from one another on the color wheel, e.g., purple/green/orange yellow/red/blue.

You just can’t help but smile and believe spring is just around the corner when you walk into the garden center this week.

The colors of all the pansies definitely brighten any day. Our front patio along with the greenhouse is alive with colors of spring.

With the pansies’ arrival and the spring-like weather, I decided it would be a great time to plant up our display pots. It was so nice to get my hands in the dirt again! While planting, many customers stopped by to chat about what I was doing. The number one comment by far was, “Isn’t it too early to be planting the pansies?” Of course, my answer was NO. Pansies are not only pretty, but they are also one tough little plant. Did you know that pansies like it chilly and can handle temperatures as low as 28 degrees? This is what makes them the perfect spring plant in Connecticut.

Whether planting in a cute spring pot, or in a border garden, the pansy is sure to put a smile on your face and brighten your day.

Like pansies, we all want to think and feel Spring!

Darlene Granese