Pansy Classification

Pansies

• Pansies are classified into four groups. Early pansies, fancy pansies, show pansies and bedding pansies. Each group has identifying specifications. Early pansies were developed before 1841, and are identified by the displayed rays that eventually developed into the modern, well-known blotching. Fancy pansies are identified by flowers more than 2.5 inches in diameter, with smooth, thick center petals meeting above the eye and reaching into the top petals. The blotch is large, solid and well defined. Show pansies have a flower between 1.5 and 2 inches, and are similar in form to the fancy pansy, with specific coloration patterns and blotch size. Bedding pansies are commercial seed-raised varieties.

Violas

• Violas are the result of attempts to improve existing pansy varieties during the mid-nineteenth century. The lack of the consolidation of rays forming the blotch on violas constitutes the difference between pansies and violas. Several varieties display a borderline pattern. A wide range of colors and markings is available in violas. Bedding violas include heirloom violas found in historical collections and commercial viola strains widely available in seeds or plants for garden bedding. Exhibition violas are more than 2.5 inches in diameter and conform to the specifications for fancy pansies in form.

Violettas

• Violettas are violas in miniature form set apart as a special type due to several distinctive features. Dr. Charles Stuart began a breeding program in the late 19th century crossing Viola cornuta with various violas. Dwarf plants resulted with trailing, non-rooting stems. Fragrant, oval blooms with slightly wavy edges and no rays resulted. The petals are smooth. Flowers are bright and clear in color, and are striped, margined or bi-colored. The eye is bright orange or yellow, with no rays or blotch. The scented flower is less than 1.5 inches long and 1 inch wide. Violettas are no longer widely available, due to waning popularity.

Cornuta Hybrids

• Viola cornuta is native to the Pyrenees, where it originated. The plants passed their vigor and habit on to offspring, making them useful to nineteenth century hybridizers. Cornuta hybrids are the results of crosses of V. cornuta with various other species of the Melanium section. The flowers have a distinctive windmill shape in a variety of sizes and colors. Plants are bushy in growth habit.