Pansy Lover

In Canada, as soon as a hint of warmth arrives, for example one day above 10°C (50°F), we leap into spring! If you live in a cool or unpredictable climate like ours, you know as soon as you bring out your new on-trend loafer slides, you'll be back reaching for your winter boots the next day. How do you welcome spring with flowers when you still need a scarf? Pansies!! The answer is pansies.

Ok, I guess I have a love for what were once considered cheesy flowers, like carnations and now pansies. But hear me out. Yes, I adore ranunculus and lush garden roses, and you can't beat the beauty and scent of peonies but pansies are anything but pansy. Here's why:

Pansies are tough. Plant these babies when there's nighttime frost and they're still bright and perky in the morning. They can withstand the elements and still look pretty. Who you callin’ pansy?

These are the pansies I planted this year. Even after frost and snow, they are still shining! (Garden Hack: the forsythia and pussy willows are faux. Shhh!)

Pansies come in a variety of sizes and colours. Cute mini ones, multi-hued purples, bright whites and warm and bright yellows. They scream spring!

pansies 3

pansies 1

pansies 2

Pansies are edible.

Yes. You can put flowers in your salad and eat them. But they look so beautiful you may not want to. If you think they make a salad look good, you should see them on a cake or cookies!

pansy cookie 2

pansy cake

pansy cake 2

pansy shortbread

So if ever you hear someone use the term pansy, just know they mean beautiful, strong and perhaps, delicious!