When summer displays begin to lose their sparkle, pansies and violas are ready to take over. Tough, colourful and wonderfully versatile, these familiar favourites are one of the easiest ways to give pots, baskets, borders and containers a fresh burst of colour for autumn.
At Radway Bridge Garden Centre, our autumn pansies and violas are now bringing plenty of colour to the Plant Area, with everything from bright yellows and oranges to rich purples, blues, whites and beautifully marked varieties.
What’s the difference between pansies and violas?
They’re close relatives, but there are a few useful differences.
Pansies generally produce larger, bolder flowers and make an immediate impact in containers and displays. Violas tend to have smaller flowers, but usually produce more of them, creating masses of cheerful colour.
Both are excellent choices for autumn planting, so you don’t necessarily need to choose between them. Combining the two can give you a lovely mixture of larger statement flowers and smaller blooms.
Perfect for autumn containers
If your summer pots and hanging baskets are beginning to look tired, pansies and violas offer one of the quickest ways to give them a new lease of life.
Use them to fill pots by the front door, add colour to window boxes or plant them alongside autumn foliage plants for a display with plenty of texture and interest.
They also work brilliantly in borders, filling gaps left as summer bedding finishes and bringing colour to areas that might otherwise begin to look rather bare.
Tough little performers
One of the great advantages of pansies and violas is their ability to cope with cooler weather.
They prefer a bright position and well-drained soil or compost. Keep newly planted displays watered while they establish, but take care not to leave containers sitting waterlogged during wetter autumn weather.
Regularly removing faded flowers helps keep plants tidy and encourages them to continue producing new blooms.
During particularly cold spells flowering may slow down, but established plants can often spring back into action when conditions improve.
Why choose pansies and violas?
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Brilliant colour for autumn and cooler weather.
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Ideal for pots, baskets, window boxes and borders.
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Huge choice of colours and markings.
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Easy to mix with other seasonal plants.
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Compact and easy to plant.
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A simple way to refresh summer containers for the new season.
Whether you love bold blocks of colour or prefer mixing different shades together, pansies and violas give you plenty of possibilities.
Visit the Plant Area at Radway Bridge Garden Centre near Hereford to explore our current selection and ask our knowledgeable Plant Team for advice on choosing and planting the perfect combination for your autumn displays.
