Edible Blooms
- Minty flavor: Pansies and their leaves are completely edible and offer a mild, minty or lettuce-like taste.
- Nutritious garnishes: They are rich in vitamins A and C, making them colorful and healthy additions to cakes, salads, soups, and cocktails.
Meaning and History
- Named after thought: The name pansy comes from the French word pensée, meaning “thought” or “remembrance”.
- Love potions: In the 19th century—and even dating back to ancient Greek and Celtic traditions—pansies were frequently used in traditional love potions and spells, a feature famously referenced in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- February’s birth flower: The pansy (alongside the violet) serves as a traditional birth flower for February, beautifully pairing with the month’s amethyst birthstone.
Fragrance and Appearance
- Scents vary: Not all pansies have a scent, but yellow and blue varieties tend to be the most fragrant. Their fragrance is strongest in the early morning and at dusk.
- Cold hardy: While they wilt in harsh mid-summer heat, pansies tolerate frost well and can bounce back after dropping to single-digit temperatures.