The Wave Crew Wave Petunias | Cool Wave Pansies
One trip to the garden center for lush baskets or pots for in-ground planting is enough to convince anyone that Cool Wave is a cool-season gardener’s dream! Good for containers and borders, as well as a ground cover, they are tried-and-true for reliable color in Spring and Fall.
Pansies are beautiful on their own or when planted with other cool-season flowers such as violas, primroses, trailing lobelia and sweet alyssum.
Here’s a guide to grow your best pansies ever.
When to Plant Cool Wave
Pansies can be planted in early Spring or Fall. To grow Cool Wave from seed for Spring, start indoors in late winter 8 to 10 weeks before the last Spring frost. For Fall growing, start seeds in late Summer. Pansy seedlings will emerge anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on soil temperature.
Plant the seedlings in the ground when it softens up in the Spring. They grow best in soil temperatures between 45-65°F (7-18°C).
Pansies can tolerate a light frost just after planting but try to hold off on putting them in the ground if temperatures are still regularly reaching well below freezing.
Where to Plant Cool Wave
Plant in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Pansies like full or partial sun but thrive in cooler temperatures. The ideal planting site will get morning sun but avoid the heat of the late afternoon.
Planting in the Ground
Space the plants about 10-12 in. (25-30 cm) apart. They will spread about 24-30 in. (61-76 cm) and grow to 6-8 in. (15-20 cm) tall.
Cool Wave Pansies in Planters
Pansies are great for containers. Plant in potting soil in large, portable containers so the plants can be moved to a cooler area when the sun starts to get stronger. Early in the Spring season or in the Fall, a south-facing spot is best. During the Summer, move pansies to an east-side setting for morning sun and afternoon shade.
Caring for Cool Wave
Remember to water pansies regularly to avoid wilt. A general, all-purpose fertilizer applied every two weeks will help them grow. Remove faded or dead flowers to encourage the plants to produce more blooms and prolong the blooming season.