Viola Alpha F1 Pink Shades - Medium-flowered Pansy

Hybrid pansies or Viola hybrida from the Alpha F1 'Pink Shades' selection offer an abundance of medium-sized flowers in a range of pink shades, plain or with a black blotch. They are borne on short but sturdy stems, allowing the flowers to face upwards towards the sky, revealing their delightful pastel and more intense colours. The plants are compact, flowering early, abundantly and uniformly. This variety starts up very well in spring and does not bolt with the first heat, ensuring a long flowering season. Easy to grow in humus-rich and moist soil, in sun or partial shade, it is undoubtedly one of the best in its category,

Garden pansies, sometimes called Swiss giant pansies, are actually hybrids that are grouped in the Viola x wittrockiana group. They belong to the Violaceae family and are most often grown as annuals or biennials, though they are actually short-lived perennials. The 'Alpha F1 Pink Shades' variety is a bushy plant that quickly forms compact, slightly spreading clumps, 25cm (5.9 in) high and 20cm (7.9in) wide. It flowers from late winter to late spring, or from late spring to late summer. The 'Alpha F1 Pink Shades' pansies have open, upright, medium-sized, flowers, 4 to 5cm (1.6 - 2in) in diameter, ranging from pale pink to deep pink, lavender and purple. Depending on the plant they may either be a single colour or have 3 black blotches at the base of the petals, around a tiny bright yellow and white heart . The medium green leaves are elliptical and broadly crenated.

In the garden, they are at their best in window boxes, on the windowsill, where you can have them right under your nose whilst keeping them sheltered from the cold. Try combining them with primroses, wallflowers, grape hyacinths, daisies... and even with grasses like Japanese sedge for a graphic, contemporary effect. Lovely ombined them with Heucheras and tulips, the blue-green of the glaucous fescues also enhances them beautifully.

Pansy petals are edible, their colours will bring a touch of originality to your salads and pastries. For this, think of growing them as you would grow your own vegetables - as naturally as possible.

Note: Please be aware that our young plant plugs are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant them as soon as possible, into pots, window boxes or directly into flower beds.