Winter pansies

[Merriott]

I bought some winter pansies (plug plants) via the Guardian and they were OK when I put them into containers but now they look a bit jaded. I was expecting them to give some colour to our front garden all winter but it looks like they are wilted, can anyone help please?

[Hawkwalk]

If you buy plug plants you will need to grow them on first under some sort of protection such as a greenhouse or cold frame until they are strong enough to be planted outside on their own. They would have been hit by this cold weather and will struggle to recover. I would suggest you bring them back in and see if you can revive them or buy some more mature plants from a garden centre and plant those instead.

[oldjohn2]

I've been buying Winter pansies for years and years, and to be honest, in the coldest months they dont look much at all. They are great at first (Oct/Nov) but dont really look the same again until mid-March/April, and look fabulous in May before they grow themselves out. Still great value though!

[ethandron]

winter pansies don't flower all winter, despite their name, it just means they don't die off.

[langara]

Heard on Gardeners Question time last weekend there is no such thing as winter pansies, it's all a con.