Cool Wave pansies in the landscape (Photo by Allen Owings)

Trailing pansies were new to the market in 2012. The development of these pansies involved more than 10 years of breeding.

Varieties of trailing pansies include the Cool Wave, Wonderfall and Freefall series. Pansies that have a trailing habit do well in baskets, containers and landscape beds. They have “twice the spread” and “double the color” of older pansy varieties. And a broad spectrum of flower colors is becoming available.

Trailing pansies have heat tolerance more similar to violas and an ideal medium-sized flower that holds up well in the landscape.

To enjoy pansies all season long, you have to consider landscape bed preparation, fertilization, soil pH, irrigation practices and more. Trailing pansies need to be spaced 10 inches to 15 inches apart.

Properly prepare the landscape bed to allow for good internal drainage and aeration. If you purchase soil, make sure it comes from a reputable supplier. Cheap soil often is not worth the price you pay.

Make sure landscape beds for pansies have a soil pH between 5.5-6.0. Pansies require more acid-soil growing conditions than some other bedding plants.

Allen Owings
Rick Bogren