Where to Find Winter Pansies for Sale Near You

Pansies are a beloved cool weather flower that can brighten up your yard or patio during the fall and winter months. Their cheery faces and wide range of colors make them a popular choice for adding color when many other flowers have died back for the season. If you’re looking for pansies to plant this winter, read on to learn where you can find pansies for sale near you.

When to Plant Winter Pansies

Pansies are cool weather lovers that thrive when temperatures start dipping down. In most climates, late summer or early fall is the ideal time to plant pansies for winter color. Plant them about 6-8 weeks before your average first frost date. This will give their roots time to establish before cold weather arrives. If planting later in fall, look for pansy varieties marketed for cold weather or “frost tolerant” pansies. These are bred to withstand colder temperatures.

Pansies can withstand light freezes and even temperatures down to -10°F once established. Their blooms may freeze or become damaged during hard freezes, but the plants bounce back once temperatures warm back up. As long as the ground doesn’t freeze solid for an extended period, pansies will reward you with cheery color all winter long and often re-bloom in spring.

Where to Buy Winter Pansies

Pansies are a very common cool weather annual, so you should have no trouble finding them at most major garden centers and nurseries during late summer and fall. Here are some of the top places to buy pansies near you

Local Nurseries and Garden Centers

Your local independent nurseries and family-owned garden centers are great places to find quality pansies. Their staff can guide you to the best varieties for your area and growing conditions. Pansies sold in flats or 4-6″ pots are ideal for planting in beds, borders, containers and window boxes. Larger 1-2 gallon pots create an instant burst of color where you need it.

Home Improvement Stores

Big box home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock pansies once temperatures cool. They receive frequent shipments of the latest pansy varieties throughout fall You’ll find individual 6-packs, flats, and larger containers perfect for all types of pansy plantings Their prices are very affordable, especially for large plantings.

Farmer’s Markets

Many local farmer’s markets have vendors selling pansies in fall. These are often grown locally or regionally and acclimated to your area’s conditions. Farmer’s market pansies are a great way to support small, independent growers in your community.

Online Nurseries

Can’t find the pansy variety you’re looking for locally? Online nurseries like American Meadows, High Country Gardens, and Breck’s ship top-performing pansy varieties straight to your door. Order early in fall so pansies have time to reach you and avoid hot temps in transit. Online sources offer a wide selection of pansy colors, patterns, and flower forms.

Grocery Stores and Big Box Retailers

Even grocery stores and general retailers like Walmart and Costco bring in pansies when temperatures cool. Look for them near the store entrance or in the garden center. Big box store pansies are affordable and offer basic color options, but may lack the selection and quality of nurseries.

DIY from Seed

For the widest range of unique and heirloom varieties, start your own pansies from seed in late summer. This allows time for the slow-growing seedlings to reach a good size before transplanting into the garden in fall. DIY pansies may not flower as quickly, but provide satisfaction in nurturing them from seed to bloom.

What to Look for When Buying Pansies

When shopping for pansies, inspect plants closely to ensure you get healthy ones that will last through winter. Here’s what to look for:

• Plump foliage – Avoid plants with yellowing, wilting, or curled leaves. Healthy pansy foliage is full and vibrant green.

• Well-rooted – Gently squeeze pots or remove from flats to check roots. Choose plants with abundant white roots throughout the root ball.

• Budded – Established plants should have multiple visible flower buds ready to open up. This indicates they are mature plants ready to bloom.

• No Leggy Stretching – Avoid spindly, stretched out plants reaching for sunlight. Compact, full plants with short stem spaces between leaf clusters are best.

• Labeling – Choose named varieties labeled for winter or cold tolerance for best performance. Avoid vague “mixed pansy” or color labels.

• Organic Options – Look for organic pansies if desired. These are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

By carefully selecting established, hardy pansy plants and taking good care of them, you’ll be rewarded with vibrant winter color right through spring.

Caring for Winter Pansies

Here are some tips to keep your winter pansies looking their best once planted:

• Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours per day) for the most blooms. Morning sun is especially important.

• Prepare soil well by mixing in compost or other organic matter to improve drainage.

• Water 1-2″ per week, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid overwatering.

• Apply balanced fertilizer monthly to fuel growth and blooms. Look for low-nitrogen options.

• Remove spent blooms and leggy stems regularly to encourage new growth.

• Add a 2-4″ layer of mulch around plants to insulate roots and conserve soil moisture.

• Cover plants with frost fabric or other protective materials during hard freezes below 10°F.

• Delay spring pruning until new growth is 4-6″ tall, then trim back for compact growth.

With proper care, your winter pansies can last up to 6 months or longer, especially in mild winter climates. Prepare now to enjoy their cheery blooms through the cool months ahead!

Popular Winter Pansy Varieties

Here are some top-rated pansy varieties known for their cold hardiness and winter performance:

• Jolly Joker: Unique purple and yellow flower faces atop compact plants.

• Purple Face: Rich royal purple petals with deep black blotches radiating from the center.

• Blizzard Mix: Pure white flowers cover neat, mounded plants.

• Citrus Mix: Warm orange, yellow, and coral blooms brighten dreary winter days.

• Frosty Mix: A diverse blend of radiant solid, blotched, and bicolor blooms.

• Padparadja: Vibrant orange petals make a striking statement in the garden.

• Sorbet XP Yellow: Cheerful lemon-yellow semi-double blooms from an award-winning variety.

• Majestic Giants II Mix: Extra-large 4-5” flowers on sturdy plants perfect for containers.

With so many wonderful winter-hardy pansy varieties available, you’re sure to find one (or more!) perfect for your garden. Visit your local nursery soon to bring home these cheerful flowers for splashes of radiant color through the winter.