Winter Pansies

I bought plug winter pansies in September thinking they would be big enough to plant into pots before the winter set in. In fact they are still quite small but growing - I have them in the conservatory -Does anyone know how hardy they are and when it would be safe to put them outside.

Re: Winter Pansies

I just put mine out as soon as I buy them, never lost any.

Re: Winter Pansies

If they were sold as winter pansies, then plant them out.
I've had my plugs planted out for weeks -they are still on the small side but flowering..they'll poke their flower noses through the snow.

Re: Winter Pansies

Hello Joy I plant my winter pansies out the moment I buy them in early October when the soil is still warm, that way the roots get off to a good start.

Winter Pansies are hardy and can cope with the cold weather.

Re: Winter Pansies

Many thanks for your advice - these plugs seemed so tiny it felt a bit cruel letting them fend for themselves! I will get on and plant them out.

Re: Winter Pansies

I bought some last year in autumn, planted them out and, before they started flowering, most of them had been eaten by the slugs. This year I've decided that I will buy them in March and hope they survive.

Re: Winter Pansies

I would have thought it depends whether they've been hardened off yet, or come straight out of a greenhouse?
Personally, if I'm buying tiny plugs, I would have got them a few weeks back, but if not buying till Nov/Dec, I would have bought big plants if you want some blooms before very bad weather sets in.
I always find they have a rest from flowering if the weather gets very severe, but they soon bounce back in early spring.
Maybe others don't agree though.

Re: Winter Pansies

I planted my winter pansies in bloom in hanging baskets and in the ground a month ago, they are still flowering now. As the weather gets colder, they tend to stop flowering until February/March when they always give a lovely display.

Re: Winter Pansies

Yes, same here Mags. We're in December on sunday, so I'd have thought if plugs are still very small this late, you're not going to get much colour out of them now until next spring.

Re: Winter Pansies

me neither