If you’re looking for a flower to brighten your garden in the spring or fall, pansies are a great fit. Hardy and cold-weather friendly, they’re a good plant for beginners. Ideal temperatures are 40-60 degrees with morning sun and afternoon shade. Use loose, slightly acidic soil, watering the plants often enough so the soil is consistently moist but not soggy. The blooms tend to draw back during the summer, but return when autumn arrives.

Deer are known to feed on pansies, and slugs can show up during wet weather. Repellents, fencing and baits are the best ways to ward them off. Fungal diseases are a bigger concern; have fungicides handy for signs of gray mold, powdery mildew, leaf spots or root rot.

As most pansy varieties are hybrids, growing from seed can be tricky, but is doable. Start 8-10 weeks before the final spring frost by stratifying the seeds for two weeks. This involves filling a resealable bag with seeds and damp paper towels, and placing the bag in the fridge.

After stratification, sow the seeds in a tray filled with a moist seed-starting mix. Cover the tray with black plastic or keep it in a warm area for two weeks until the seeds germinate. Then place the tray in a bright location and keep the soil moist. Move seedlings to small pots when they have multiple sets of true leaves.

Early spring or fall is the best time to plant pansies. In the spring, plant or transplant as soon as the ground is workable. They can handle a light frost or two, but not regular freezing temperatures. Space the plants 6-12 inches apart for the best root growth and circulation.

The bright colors and smaller size of pansies make them a fine candidate for window boxes, hanging planters, raised beds and other containers. You can have one small plant per container or 3-4 plants per large pot.

Rich soil with monthly feedings will produce the most gorgeous pansies. Add some compost or other organic matter during the initial in-ground planting. Then apply a balanced, sol-release granular fertilizer once a month. You will need to fertilize more often if using a liquid fertilizer or growing in containers. To determine the exact fertilization schedule and NPK ratio, consider testing the soil.

Although pansies are technically short-lived perennials, they are grown as annuals in areas with extremely hot summers or frigid winters. In the middle growing zones, use mulch to regulate soil temperature. Unless you deadhead the old pansies, they will often reseed for the next growing season — but as hybrids, they may revert to the parent plant.

Because pansies grow so fast, regular pruning helps control shape and fullness. Remove longer growth as needed to avoid a scraggly, unkempt look. Cutting the plants back when they start to bolt can encourage another round of blooms.

Pansies are excellent for flower arrangements, and they’re edible for food decoration, too. Cut the pansies at the stem base or a node in the morning once the dew dries. Wash and dry the flowers before arranging.