Expert: C.L. Fornari - 6/25/2008

Question
I have had some great luck with Pansies this year.  I plant my whole front yard of the house last September with small plants.  We live in Cleveland - Zone 5 and with the blizzards this year we were so happy to know that each of them thrive!!!!  Beautiful display... Now that it is getting warmer - how do I cut them and or mulch them back for the fall - I would want to plant some wave petunias' in their place until they come back this fall.

Answer
Cindy,
Most pansies don't make it a full season from fall to fall - they produce many flowers and seeds, and once the seeds are made the plant has "done it's job" in keeping its offspring on the planet. So those that you plant in the fall usually die in the heat of the summer. You can try cutting them back to about 3" tall, and some may make it, but most will die. Occasionally, if the bed is regularly watered in September, the seeds will sprout and you'll have the offspring grow in the fall and flower the following year. But if you want to be sure to have pansies again next spring  you can plant them again this fall.

all the best,
C.L.