Viola Karma Blue Butterfly F1 - Swiss Garden Pansy Seeds

A unique and very spectacular pansy variety: its intense electric blue flowers feature bronze blotches, black veins and have high contrast yellow centres. It will enchant you from March to November, planted in the garden or in a pot.

This tender little flower with retro appeal recalls the chromolithographs of bygone days. Often undervalued because it is misused in public spaces, it nevertheless deserves a special spot in the garden just as much as on windowsills.

Garden pansies, sometimes referred to as Swiss Giant Pansies, belong to the family Violaceae. They are generally cultivated as annuals or biennials. Pansies do not exist naturally since they are the result of hybridizations between several species of violets. There are many varieties, all of them featuring lovely five-petalled flowers, with or without spots, and in a variety of colours. The leaves are medium green, elliptical and widely crenate. They have a compact, branched habit.

Pansies are very undemanding and will thrive in sun or partial shade, in moderately rich, well-drained soil. Sow pansies from February to April for summer flowering or from June to August for flowering the following spring.

If you like having it in the garden, you will appreciate it most in a window box sitting on a window sill, where you can have it right under your nose without having to venture out into the cold weather. Combine them with bugleherb 'Atropurpurea', Heuchera 'Bronze Beauty' or even Sweet Potato Vine 'Sweetheart Purple' for a very modern look.

Pansy petals are edible and their colours will bring a touch of originality to your salads and pastries. For this, just grow them as you would your vegetables, in the most natural way possible.