The International Herb Association has chosen the Pansy, Viola or Violet as the Herb of the Year for 2022.  Plants selected must be outstanding in two of the three categories:  Decorative, Culinary or Medicinal.   The Pansy also known as a Violet, a Johnny Jump Up or a Heartsease meets all three of these categories.

As Decorative they have sweet smiling faces with a sweet fragrance and multi-colored flowers.

As Culinary the flowers are edible and superb as decorative garnish for soups, desserts, and beverages.

As Medicinal, historically violets were a healing herb, viola tinctures were used to treat skin conditions.

As we start a new year we are adding to our Horticulture presentation three new categories:

Arrangement of the Month:  Pansy

Color of the Month:  Violet

What’s in your garden? Cloche with pansies

Linda Hooper shared with us some of the interesting facts about the pansy or violet.

Pansies are a go-to choice for early seasonal container planting.  They offer floral color for at least six weeks before we put out other flowers.

They are cold tolerant and will bloom through a light freeze. In the language of flowers, pansies symbolize loving feelings.  For crafting, pansies are great for drying and pressing for notepaper and candles.

Al pansies and violets are members of the genus Viola.  All pansies are violets but not all violets are pansies.

Some small violets are desirable natives and some are considered weeds.  Wild violets spring up in the yard and attract pollinators and are also food sources for butterflies, bees, rabbits, birds and other wild life.

Not all violets are scented.  The Sweet Viola is renowned for its “soft, powdery, romantic” scent and has been used in perfumes.

Pansies have four petals pointing up and one pointing down, violets have two petals pointing up and three pointing down.