One Little Packet of Seeds

One little packet of seeds = a ton of fun!

Last autumn I decided to grow my pansies from seed, so I ordered a packet of "mixed" varieties. Much to my delight here's how it turned out . . .

Who knew that 1 little packet of seeds could be so much fun!

Happy Faces

We're so fortunate to have plenty of sunshine during the winter months here in Florida, but occasionally we do get some gloomy, white overcast skies. And, when that happens there's nothing more cheerier in the garden than the sweet, happy faces of pansies.  

From single colors to ornately decorated multi-colored varieties...each one as pretty as the next.

You can see that I was smitten by...what looks like every color and combo imaginable.

I plant them in containers...

This one was planted in November with the pretty coleus for autumn color. When the coleus later froze, the pansies filled in the container. They're worth the cost and the time to plant them as they'll last for many, many months.

I plant them in the ground...

because I know I can depend on them throughout the winter months to add some much needed color to the island bed in the frontyard. They make a nice cold-hardy combination centered between ornamental kale and some good-ole Georgia collard greens. Even if you don't like to eat collards...they make a great looking (quite large and showy) addition to any flowerbed...front- or backyard.

I'm always amazed when people ask me why I'm planting flowers in winter. Yes, they look tender...but these magical little "bundles of cheer" love winter, and they bring plenty of joy and warmth to my heart with their sunny, happy faces.

Definitely worth it!