Growing Pansies For Cut Flowers
In this episode of The Backyard Bouquet Podcast, Brenna Estrada from Three Brothers Blooms shares about growing pansies for cut flowers.
Growing Pansies As A Cut Flower
In this episode, we’ll dive into Brenna’s journey, the historical significance of pansies, how to cultivate them for long-stemmed cut flowers, and where to find unique varieties for your own garden.
Pansies have long been admired as charming garden staples, often found in cheerful flower beds and containers. But did you know that these delicate blooms were once a sought-after cut flower? In a fascinating podcast conversation with Brenna Estrada, flower farmer, hybridizer, and author of Pansies, we explored the rich history of these flowers, their resurgence in floral design, and the best growing techniques for home gardeners and flower farmers alike.
The Forgotten History of Pansies as a Cut Flower
For many, pansies bring to mind compact blooms lining sidewalks or nestled in garden borders. However, historically, they were a major cut flower, prized for their fragrance, intricate color patterns, and delicate beauty.
Brenna’s deep research into the botanical history of pansies revealed that they were once highly valued by florists and gardeners alike. She discovered books from the 1800s and early 1900s detailing their use in bouquets and floral arrangements. So why did they fade from the cut flower industry?
“Pansies were once grown extensively for cut flowers, but they fell out of favor when the floral industry shifted toward large-scale production. Refrigerated trucking made it more economical to ship flowers long distances, and small growers who specialized in pansies couldn’t compete. They were instead bred for landscaping, and the long-stemmed varieties were nearly lost.” – Brenna Estrada
With the rise of local flower farming, there is once again a growing interest in bringing long-stemmed pansy varieties back into floral design.
How Brenna Estrada Fell in Love with Pansies For Cut Flowers
Brenna’s journey into flower farming started at Floret, where she worked alongside Erin Benzakein. It was there that she first encountered long-stemmed pansy varieties, which sparked her curiosity.
“I had only ever seen the standard yellow, purple, and red pansies in front of hardware stores. But at Floret, Erin was trialing incredible, unique varieties with long stems. It made me wonder—where did all these colors come from? And why aren’t we growing them more widely?”
This fascination led Brenna down a rabbit hole of research, seed collecting, and eventually, the creation of her book Pansies, which she describes as a love letter to the flower that has been overlooked for too long.
Why Pansies Deserve a Spot in Your Cutting Garden
Many flower growers underestimate pansies as cut flowers, assuming they’re too short or too fragile. However, with the right varieties and growing techniques, they can be an excellent addition to floral arrangements.
🌸 They Offer an Unmatched Color Range
Few flowers rival the diverse palette of pansies. From deep midnight black to soft pastels, from vivid oranges and reds to blue-toned violets, pansies offer hues rarely found in other cut flowers.
🌸 Some Varieties Are Wonderfully Fragrant
Did you know that certain pansies have a deliciously sweet scent? Varieties like Tiger Eye Viola, Arc Right Ruby, and Violet Tiger Eye exude notes of chocolate, honey, and floral perfume, making them a fragrant addition to bouquets.
🌸 They Work in Both Small and Large-Scale Gardens
Pansies can thrive in:
✔️ Backyard gardens 🌿
✔️ Balcony pots and containers 🌱
✔️ Cut flower farms 🚜
“Pansies are one of the most inclusive flowers—they’re easy for anyone to grow, whether you have a farm or just a single pot on your patio.” – Brenna Estrada
How to Grow Pansies for Cut Flowers: Best Practices from Brenna Estrada
If you’ve only grown pansies as landscaping plants, you may wonder how to cultivate them for long-stemmed blooms. Brenna shared her top techniques for getting the most out of your pansies.
1. Choose the Right Varieties
Not all pansies are suitable for cutting. Look for varieties with a natural trailing growth habit, which tend to produce longer, more flexible stems.
🟣 Top Pansy Varieties for Cut Flowers
- Chianti – Raspberry streaks & frilly petals
- Flamenco Terracotta – Warm, citrusy hues
- Black Prince – Deep, moody, and fragrant
- Tiger Eye Viola – Highly fragrant with striking patterns
- Flamenco Soft Light Azure Lemonade – A dreamy “mermaid” color mix
2. Sow Seeds at the Right Time
- January Sowing → Blooms in June
- April Sowing → Blooms in August-September
- July Sowing → Overwintered plants for early spring blooms
3. Encourage Longer Stems with Proper Pruning
- ✔️ Deadhead early blooms to redirect energy to stem elongation
- ✔️ Train plants vertically for straighter growth
- ✔️ Water deeply to promote strong root systems
4. Protect Against Common Pests and Diseases
🟢 Common Pests: Slugs, aphids, spider mites, and rabbits
🟢 Disease Risks: Powdery mildew, root rot, and leaf spot
For organic slug control, Brenna swears by Sluggo Plus and ducks (yes, ducks eat slugs!).
Where to Buy Specialty Pansy Seeds
Brenna offers limited seed sales throughout the year at Three Brothers Blooms.
🛒 Upcoming Seed Sales at Three Brothers Blooms:
📅 April 21st, 2025 – Small sale featuring specialty varieties
📅 Fall 2025 – Larger sale with more diverse selections
Visit Three Brothers Blooms to learn more.
Final Thoughts: A Call to Rediscover Pansies
Brenna’s work is inspiring a renaissance for pansies—a movement to bring back long-lost heirloom varieties, expand hybridization efforts, and encourage more gardeners to experiment with these incredible flowers.
🌿 Buy Pansies (the book): https://amzn.to/4iBAGvM
📖 Signed copies at Three Brothers Blooms
🎧 Listen to the Full Podcast Episode Here
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