Last year about this time, I profiled Matrix® pansies, a variety that boasts many great attributes. Since it was much warmer at that time, I offered my usual advice about planting pansies: wait until Halloween.
Today, though, because of the cool weather that greeted us this morning, I’m good with you planting them immediately.
Last weekend, after discussing Matrix pansies on the radio show, I got a couple of emails asking for more information. For the past several years, I have considered the Matrix group as the best for Texas gardeners. They are among the toughest cool-season color annuals, with slightly larger-than-normal bloom heads. And the colors seem to pop even brighter in a huge range of hues and styles. You’ll find varieties with traditional pansy blotches and others in color-coordinated mixes of solid colors without blotches.
Pansies of all kinds begin showing up at nurseries and garden centers as early as September. That’s usually too early to plant them - when high temperatures are still flirting with the 90s. But customers will flat-out demand them, not realizing they won’t thrive if planted in high heat. So, garden centers - not wanting to turn away business - will put their stock out for sale.
If you’re worried that your favorite nursery may run out, fear not. Most will be getting deliveries of fresh pansies, including Matrix, every week through November. Ask for Matrix by name and look for the trademarked logo.
If you’re like me, and still prefer to wait until Nov. 1 to plant cool-season annuals like pansies, that’s fine. But, yes, you can plant yours today.
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Planting cool-season annuals
PHOTOS: Randy Lemmon / Pan American Seed Co