2017: Year of the Pansy
As you may have heard by now, the National Garden Bureau recently announced the four plant classes that will be featured in the 2017 “Year of the” program. Today, I’d like to just focus on its annuals category: pansies.
Each year, the National Garden Bureau selects crops specifically for the North American market that are easy to grow and genetically diverse with a lot of new varieties to choose from.
Next year will be Year of the Pansy, and this is a great opportunity for industry members to take full advantage and celebrate this classic landscape plant. These cool-tolerant and colorful beauties are a top selling category, especially because they can be marketed in both spring and fall. Some, as you will read below, are even great summer performers!
Pansies are also very versatile plants. They can be used to complement spring bulbs, as a charming backdrop in rock gardens or raised up to a higher vantage point in large planters.
The National Garden Bureau is encouraging growers, brokers and garden centers to highlight pansies when planning their marketing for the 2017 season as the publicity generated from this program is substantial. By mid-November, the organization will provide PDFs of fact sheets, flyers, handouts, signage, etc. And all of these items will be available for download right at www.ngb.org.
If you’re looking for some inspiration for pansies to add to your production or retail lineup, here are some of our favorites:
Delta Premium (Syngenta)
This premium large-flowered pansy series is extremely uniform across colors. They are stretch resistant with a compact branching habit. Plants overwinter and rebound from severe weather for superior outdoor performance in all climates.
Pansiola Anytime (Proven Winners)
This heat-tolerant pansy will bloom throughout summer, even in warm climates. And it is winter hardy in Zones 5 and warmer. It is vigorous and semi-trailing, making it an excellent garden performer.
Majestic Giants II (Sakata)
Majestic Giants II features extra-large flowered pansies that maintain their huge flower size of 4-inch blooms under warm conditions. They present excellent overwintering and will rebloom in the spring.
Inspire Plus (Benary)
Inspire Plus is a new outstanding large-flowered series that stands out with excellent timing and a tight flowering window. Plants have short flower stems, reducing stretch, and their beefy leaves fill pots quickly.
Cool Wave (PanAmerican Seed)
An excellent choice for containers, baskets or in-ground beds, Cool Wave is a top-performing spreading pansy series. It is vigorous and has superior overwintering hardiness.
WonderFall (Syngenta)
This trailing pansy is ideal for profitable premium baskets, pots and combinations. It features excellent branching and a low growing habit. Unique colors and large flowers present well at retail.
Are pansies a large part of your production? Do you foresee the category growing for next season? Which pansies have been the most successful for you in the garden center? Shoot me an email, and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
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