Indestructible annuals

Written on February 8, 2010 at 12:08 pm , by Eric Liskey

I planted these pansies last fall. Here they are, newly exposed to the sunlight after about 2 months under snow, which finally melted a bit. They’re a little flattened, but green and alive.  Sometimes I encounter skepticism that pansies will really overwinter in subzero climates. I am in Zone 5;  here’s your proof. I hear that gardeners are successful with overwintered pansies in Minnesota and Wisconsin, too. Snow cover helps, of course. But they WILL make it if planted while the weather is still warm in early autumn. That allows them to become well established before weather turns cold. That’s the key. BTW, check out the current (March) Better Homes and Gardens. It has a feature on pansies written by Yours Truly.