Got The Blues

Family: Violaceae Flower

Velvety petals bloom in a painterly spectrum of indigo, midnight violet, and soft butter-gold, with bold, face-like markings that look almost lit from within.

Got The Blues pansies carry a gently ruffled, satiny texture and a compact, tidy habit—ideal for cool-season color that feels lush and romantic. Enjoy them as a showy garden centerpiece and as a vivid accent for beds, borders, and containers throughout the season.

Light: Part SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Part Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Edible pansies like “Got The Blues” bring cool-season color with a gentle violet-leaning flavor—think satin petals over bright, acidic things. Add them at the end (or keep them chilled) so their texture stays velvety instead of collapsing into the plate.

Best Uses

freshly plated as a vivid garnish over chilled starters
stirred into a quick butter pan reduction at the last second for color
folded into soft cheeses and honey for a no-cook dessert bite
used to top sandwiches where they won’t be left to weep

Flavor Profile

mild grassy-violet taste lightly sweet with a faint green bitterness silky, satiny petal texture that holds up briefly in dressings

Kitchen Pairings

lemon zest honey goat cheese butter vanilla champagne vinaigrette

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Viola × wittrockiana (pansies) and how can I treat it?

In pansies, botrytis and gray mold can show up as gray, fuzzy growth on petals and leaves, especially in cool, damp conditions. Remove affected flowers and leaves immediately, then improve airflow (space plants and avoid wetting foliage). If the problem keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide for botrytis/gray mold according to the label and keep watering to the soil line only.

How often should I water Viola × wittrockiana during peak growth (about mid-season to bloom)?

During active growth and flowering, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for even moisture across the root zone. Water when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil feels dry; in part sun, this is often about 2–3 times per week, but adjust for your rainfall and soil drainage. Never let pansies sit in standing water, since saturated soil increases the risk of gray mold.

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

For pansies (Viola × wittrockiana), “harvest” is usually cut-flowers, and readiness is when blooms are fully colored and open with firm petals. Pick flowers in the morning after dew dries, and harvest frequently to encourage more bud formation. If you’re collecting seeds instead, wait until seed pods turn tan and feel dry, then harvest pods before they split.