Pansies are violas, and you'll find many variations of both from August to March in Garden Centers throughout the country. How to tell the difference between a pansy and a viola: pansies have four petals pointing upward and one downward.

When should I buy pansies?

Fall is the best time to plant pansies. For best results, prepare the planting bed with a 3 to 4 inch (8-10 cm.) layer of organic material, like compost or peat moss. Aim for a planting spot that will get about six hours of full sun each day.

Are pansies in season now?

As a rule, pansy flowering season is from spring to summer in cool climates, then the flowers die back as temperatures rise. But pansy bloom time is fall to winter in hot areas. ... Check out some of the cold-tolerant pansies like the 'Cool Wave' series of pansy.