A More Perfect Pansy

Looking for the perfect pansy? One that brightens beds, blooms in bounty and peeks open in early spring?

Perhaps the ideal plant isn't a pansy at all.

Petite-bloomed violas loaded with F1 hybrid vigor deliver these qualities with better overwintering abilities and the same planting times as pansies. And for landscape contractors seeking quick color in their designs, these early-blooming viola options provide impressive, long-lasting color displays, according to Ball Horticultural Co., West Chicago, Ill. They flower in early spring.

Violas perform across a wide range of climatic conditions and recover quickly when exposed to the elements. For contractors planning plant orders, violas will hold well in their packs if installations are delayed or scheduled far in advance.

Ball Horticultural is introducing nine new viola varieties for the 2003 season in the Colorful Sorbet™ and Babyface™ Series.

Characterized by its vibrant color lineup, the Sorbet series also offers patterns such as picotees, whiskers and Sorbet YTT with blooms that change colors throughout the season. New varieties in the Sorbet series include 2003 Fleuroselect Gold Medal Winner Sorbet Orange Duet, which blooms in a eye-catching display of purple cap over orange face; Sorbet Coconut Duet, with a purple cap, white face and whiskers; Sorbet Orange Delight in a light orange color; and also improved versions of Sorbet Blue Heaven, Sorbet Coconut, Sorbet Purple Duet and Sorbet Mix. 

Blooms in the Babyface series are marked by a distinctive color blotch. Introductions for spring include Babyface Lavender, Babyface YTT (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) and Babyface Mix, which features all six colors. - Kristen Hampshire

The author is Managing Editor - Special Projects for Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at khampshire@lawnandlandscape.com.