How are pansies treated in Zone 7a?

I am new to this state (moved from MI). I bought pansies at Lowes and HD this year, in the spring. I planted them in an area where they get afternoon/evening sun. They are dead by now for at least 2-3 weeks, I pulled them up as they looked untidy. When are pansies planted here (zone 7a) and in what sun/shade?

Thanks,
Danielle

Hey VALDESE! got a college dorm mate from Rutherford College!

I'm in 7a (bordering 7b) Pansies are planted any time now into next month, put your fertilizers on and mulch aplenty. then sit back and enjoy the show until around about May 1st. Then they will begin to look nasty, so plan on another annual to replace them for summer.

depending on our weather, which never quite stays cold, they will put on a little show now, a bit of a show all winter, and then be as happy as can be February through May 1st. they make a great front border for a bed of tall daffodils.

Thats's interesting! I didnt know they would fare the winter. Where do you buy them at this time of the year? If you want to grow them from seeds when should you start in order to set them out at this time? The seeds offer so much variety compared to buying locally.

Ive never started them from seeds. when it's time to plant them, you'll see them in every garden ctr out there, including Walmart's.

But don't seeds usually have to be started 2 to 3 months in advance? or if you have a greenhouse setup, 6 to 8 weeks?

our local nurseries (except for last year, and I don't know why unless it was the economy back then) sell them by the flat and hundred or so varieties, from small violas to giant doubles, every color of rainbow.

OK Bon I just got some seed so don't laugh. I planted pansies in Feb, at mom's so I think you can plant them almost anytime in colder months

Lavina

oh yeah, you can! sorry. but you are milder there at the coast than she's going to be, Lavina, she's up in the FOOT foothills of the App. Mts. she's got some elevation, and she'll get SNOW, probably every year - you won't get it hardly ever. So if she plants them out in, say, late March, she won't get as much show out of them. then again, they may stay nice for her through June 1, come to think of it.

I though Grantsboro was 7b? most of our coast is 7b to 8

Actually Im not that high up, Valdese elevation is 1,217 ft(or maybe I just dont think I am hmmmm). In MI where I used to be which is flat it was an elevation of 1,020 ft. Snow is pretty rare in winter we got a dusting last winter for 2 days. I don't consider the mid 30's to 40's cold for a winter at all coming from MI where below 0*F happens and the wind chill is usually a negative temp of -16. Locals here run to the store to grab milk, bread, etc. when it threatens to snow lol. I'm not up in the mountains, but I have nice views of all the mountains way up high. I can see Table Rock on several streets if you look up to a mnt. in the distance. I have been to Wal Mart and Lowes this past week all they have are mums, and dying cheap annuals left for sale. A few ornamental grasses, lantana, etc. Looks like I would have to grow pansies inside 8-12 weeks (however long it takes for them) to have them out now. I guess I'll stick with spring bulbs to plant now. I have perennials coming in via the mail next month to set out in the garden too. Next month will be a busy planting month.

Grantsboro does have a much lower elevation than I do though. Pansies planted in the spring in 5-6 hrs of full sun just dont last long through the summer for me. Plus I had a real problem with slugs eating my blooms this year. My parents pansies looked way better, and did amazing. I think they were in the shade more. I may have to treat them like impatiens in the shade to part shade. Begonias (the wax leaf kind you can buy anywhere as annuals) do great I only bought 2-3 when I bought the pansies in April, and they are still looking fabulous!!!


This message was edited Sep 16, 2009 2:42 PM

I plant pansie in Sept./Oct and pull them up in March as its too hot for them here after march.
We are 7a bon
It gets way hot here sometimes.Some saw the 1st snow in 9 years this past winter.
Maybe 7 days below 32 but not many more if any.

Lavina

Lavina,

How are they in the shade after March? Are they still bad? My thought is that part shade/full shade where impatiens are planted might fare them better in the summer here? Have you or anyone tried that?

In the shade they are OK. My 1st cousin lives in Hudson around the road from you (: and a few years back hers still looked good 1st of May. Its a lot colder there where you are than here at the coast.

Lavina

hmmm, pansies do like full sun for me. a little shade and they dont do much blooming.

thought all our coast was 7b to 8. How far inland are you? thought your new place, Lavina, was not far off water.

so much for my perceptions! Valdese seemed to me to be in the HILLS. Know what you mean about cold. lived 6 years in ID, elevation 4700ft, where 32 and below was MILD winter weather! and in WA for almost 4 year. left an ex out there and came home to NC.

Danielle, my bulb source is commercial. they say for best results, plant your spring bulbs here in 7a after Nov. 1st. and our local pansy sources don't usually put theirs out this early, but they'll be here soon. right now everyone's shelves are full of the mums.

is it me, or is fall coming early this year? I saw a bradford pear all scarlet already! we don't get good tree color until late October!

Lavina, I just bought another 25 irises yesterday! about to go order more!^_^

I'm 1 1/2 miles from the water and all 4 sides of this county are surrounded by water.And the Pamlico sound is what we but up to. It has about 20 degrees difference sometimes than Raleigh. If you look in an Almanac we are the strange patch of different color on the coast.
Our county motto is WHERE LAND WATER AND SKY MEET.
Bon I will be in Raleigh Oct.9th want to get together that afternoon and eat lunch/dinner?
Where are you putting all those flowers?

Lavina

yes

and where I've let the others die! weeds got em

but I have an extra garden space down near the Neuse between Ral and Knightdale. old HS friend (and ex boyfriend) has 1/2 acre next to him that's in an estate and has been sitting idle for many years.

I'm going to pot up the rest, any that don't fit, for sales next spring. potted ones in bloom sell the bestest.