specialist. Our work with Pansies began during that first year. Since 
1925 there have been more new strains introduced by our gardens 
than any single breeder has introduced in an equal time. Harrold’s 
was the first to introduce a variety bred for pot culture and is 
today the only commercial gardens offering this type. Harrold’s was 
first in the introduction of a variety bred for cut flower growing. 
Since the introduction of this variety a tender, tall growing strain 
was introduced by another breeder but we have since improved this 
strain both in habit and color. In 1929 we introduced our Harrold’s 
Pedigreed Giant Art Shades Orchid Selection which produced flowers 
of odd form in orchid and pastel shades. By 1939 we had dis- 
continued this type because of its fragil flower. It was subject to 
sunburn and spotting and while a beautiful thing in protected spots 
it did not prove to be satisfactory under the care the average garden- 
er would give it. This type has since been taken up and reintroduced 
during the past two years by another grower very little changed from 
our original introduction. Our current line of varieties has been bred 
to meet the requirements of the critical professional florist and 
nursery trade and we supply the same seeds to our home garden 
patrons. 
WHERE MAY PANSIES BE GROWN 
Pansies are most adaptable so long as their few basic require- 
ments are understood. The modern strains, through years of open 
field culture by the seed grower have become more tolerant of sun 
than older varieties and it is a mistake to plant Pansies in full 
shade or on the north side of a building. Their full color will not 
develop and plants will become leggy and ill shaped. The ideal 
location is where they they are protected during the very hottest 
part of the day but get all the morning sun possible. Second best is 
morning and evening sun with noonday protection or late evening 
sun from 3:00 or 4:00 o’clock on. 
As for soil, Pansies are heavy feeders and while they will grow 
in all types of soil they do not do their best unless the soil is good. 
In the flowering beds the soil should be of a type that is well 
drained but holds moisture well. They dislike wetness but must have 
a moist cool soil for best results. For that reason the liberal use if 
leaf mould or peat moss is good although the use of well rotted cow 
manure is still better. Any of these may be spread on the bed 2 or 
3 inches deep and well spaded in to a depth of 8 inches or more. 
Pansies are grown as a winter blooming plant in the southern 
states and California, while in localities where temperatures drop 
lower than 25 degrees and where little winter sun prevails they 
should be handled as a spring and early summer flower. Farther 
north where summers are cool they will be satisfactory later into 
the summer. 
WHEN TO PLANT 
In the north, where the summers are cool, planting may be done 
during July. Where the temperature range usually is above 90 degrees 
August plantings will give better germination and as with most of 
the perennials, Pansies do hot grow rapidly until the cooler weather 
of late summer comes so that except for special conditions planting 
too early is of no advantage. Most commercial growers in the north 
begin planting the last week in July to the Tenth of August and make 
successive plantings until the end of September. Seed germination is 
much better at this time than earlier and the possibility of failure 
is much reduced. This period of planting will apply to the Arnold 
Arboratum’s zones of hardiness up to zone 4. Zone 4 and 5 would be 
about ten days later and zones 6 and 7 from 20 days to a month 
later. Plantings in zones 4 and 5 may be made as late as October 
Tenth and and in zones 6 and 7 as late as January Tenth. Dates 
specified are for outdoor planting. In zone 1, 2 and 3 plantings may 
be made indoors from January First to February Twentieth and 
plants will begin blooming before Memorial Day. Really there is a 
wide range of planting dates although the August dates will generally 
prove best for this will time the plants so that transplanting may be 
undertaken and the plants become well established before winter. 
It is usually on these August plantings that the finest and largest 
flowers are produced. 
NOTE: Zones mentioned are the hardiness zones used by the 
nurseryman to designate areas of hardiness for shrubs and trees. 
You will find complete information covering this system in The 
Garden Dictionary. 
PLANTING 
Probably the most satisfactory method of planting Pansies where 
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