Bing Select

Family: Violaceae Flower

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Bing Select to a garden.

A velvety, face-forward bloom that seems to glow from within—Bing Select pansies open with rich, velour-like petals and bold, painterly markings that catch the eye in cool weather.

Each flower carries a plush, slightly ruffled texture and a striking center “mask,” making it irresistible for beds, borders, and containers where color can be enjoyed at a glance. Grow Bing Select for a long season of dependable, cold-tolerant beauty—ideal for refreshing spring and fall displays with unmistakable Viola charm.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

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Bing Select Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Mar 16th	May 11th	Jul 20th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Mar 6th	May 1st	Jul 10th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Mar 6th	May 1st	Jul 10th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Mar 10th	May 5th	Jul 14th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 6th	May 1st	Jul 10th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 4th	Apr 29th	Jul 8th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Feb 27th	Apr 24th	Jul 3rd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Feb 23rd	Apr 20th	Jun 29th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Feb 20th	Apr 17th	Jun 26th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 14th	Apr 11th	Jun 20th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 9th	Apr 6th	Jun 15th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Jan 30th	Mar 27th	Jun 5th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Jan 21st	Mar 18th	May 27th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 12th	Mar 9th	May 18th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Dec 26th	Feb 20th	May 1st – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 1st	Jan 26th	Apr 6th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 10th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These cool-weather Viola petals eat like a soft, plush garnish—aromatic but not loud, with just enough sweetness to feel intentional. Keep them off the heat and dress around them so the velour texture stays intact and the painterly center reads on the plate.

Best Uses

use as a face-forward garnish on cold plates (tarts, composed salads)
chop finely for a quick fold into compound butter or soft cheese
scatter on top of soup after serving for visual pop and minimal heat wilt
macerate briefly with sugar and a squeeze of lemon for a spoonable topping

Flavor Profile

subtle, grassy-leaning floral flavor gentle sweetness on the finish velvety petal texture with a light snap

Kitchen Pairings

lemon honey goat cheese vanilla crème anglaise prosciutto butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases most commonly affect Viola × wittrockiana (pansy), and how do I treat them?

In pansies, watch for aphids and slugs/snails; aphids cluster on new growth, and slugs leave ragged holes. Rinse aphids off with a strong water spray or spot-treat with insecticidal soap, and hand-remove slugs at dusk or use a targeted slug bait around the plants. Also prevent powdery mildew by keeping foliage dry—water the soil at the base and improve airflow, then remove badly affected leaves promptly.

How often should I water Viola × wittrockiana during the main growing phase?

Keep the soil consistently evenly moist while plants are establishing and forming flowers, typically about 1 inch of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall and container size. Water when the top 1 inch of soil starts to feel dry, and avoid waterlogging because pansies in soggy soil are more prone to root and crown problems. In part sun, morning watering helps the foliage dry quickly and reduces mildew risk.

How can I tell when Viola × wittrockiana is ready to harvest?

For pansies grown for blooms, start harvesting when individual flowers are fully opened and show their standard coloration clearly—this is usually around 70 days from sowing. Pick flowers in the cool part of the day and remove them at the base of the stem to encourage continued branching and more flowering.