Pansy

Basic Information

Seed Number

127

Seed Name

Pansy

Variety

Berna Velvet Blue

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Violaceae

Plant Type

Pansy (Viola × wittrockiana)

Planting Method

Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Feb 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Apr 30

Plantable Months

February, March, April

Indoor Start

Feb 10 – Feb 24

Direct Sow

Not Recommended

Transplant

Mar 25 – Apr 30

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

12 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

Not recorded

Germination Days

10–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

60-65°F

Planting Depth

1/8 in

Plant Spacing

8-10 in

Row Spacing

12-18 in

Thin-To Spacing

Not recorded

Sun Requirements

Full sun to partial shade

Water Needs

Keep evenly moist; water regularly during dry periods

Soil Preference

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

1 gal

Plant Height

Not recorded

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

No

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors or transplant; direct sow for fall
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Apr 1 – May 15; Aug 15 – Sep 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 60–90 days to bloom
Pollinator Friendly: Some
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Edible flowers
Perennial?: Short-lived perennial/biennial; grown as annual
Succession / Reusable Notes: Best in cool spring/fall weather.
Zone 6B Notes: Heat slows blooms.
Companion Plants: Lettuce, spinach, kale, herbs, spring bulbs, calendula
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Hot midsummer beds
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Berna Velvet Blue is best grown as a cool-season flower in Zone 6B. It tolerates light frost and performs well in early spring; summer heat shortens flowering.
Germination: Start seed indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost. Sow 1/8 inch deep in moist seed-starting mix at 60-65°F.
Harvest: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued flowering. Pansy blooms are edible when grown without unsuitable pesticide treatments.
Seed Saving: Allow selected flowers to mature into dry seed pods and collect before pods shatter. Seed-grown pansies can show some variation.
Special Care: Partial afternoon shade can prolong flowering as spring temperatures rise.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/viola-berna-velvet-blue-pansy — Berna Velvet Blue identity, 10-12 week indoor start, 60-65°F germination temperature, 1/8-inch depth, frost tolerance, moisture, fertility and summer heat sensitivity
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/store/plants-seeds/flowers/pansy-viola-seeds — pansies as edible, container-friendly cool-season flowers
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]