Hybrid

Penny™ All Season Mix

Viola cornuta

Photo: Johan N · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Harvest

60-70d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

6–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-9 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Penny™ All Season Mix in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Penny™ All Season Mix · Zones 6–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-8 inches

SoilWell-draining, moderately fertile soil

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; avoid waterlogging

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorMulti-colored blooms in mixed hues

Size1 1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Start seeds indoors under grow lights in February or early March — germination takes 7-14 days at soil temperatures around 65-70°F. Transplant outdoors in April once nights stay reliably above 40°F, spacing plants 6-8 inches apart. A second direct sowing in May or June extends color into early summer, but expect blooming to taper off once daytime highs consistently hit 85-90°F; at that point deadheading buys you a few extra weeks, not months.

In zones 9-11, skip the spring succession chase and time one good planting for fall — set transplants out in September or October and you'll get a longer, stronger show than you'd ever manage fighting summer heat from a spring start.

Complete Growing Guide

Compact, mounding habit with 1 1/2", uniquely colored blooms. Adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions. Edible Flowers: Decorative and edible garnish for salads and desserts with slight wintergreen flavor. While a popular choice for brightening up salad mix, the flowers are also good for candying.Also known as pansy, Johnny jump-up, European field pansy, and horned violet. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Penny™ All Season Mix is 60 - 70 days to maturity, annual, hybrid (f1). Notable features: Grows Well in Containers, Edible Flowers.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low, Medium. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Penny™ All Season Mix reaches harvest at 60 - 70 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 1/2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

The fruit is a three valves capsule. The seeds have an oily feel and are freely dispersed by ants.

Edibility: Flowers and leaves are edible.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh pansies should be stored in the refrigerator (35-45°F) in a container with a damp paper towel to maintain humidity, with a shelf life of 3-5 days. For preservation, dry flowers by hanging them upside down in a cool, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks, then store in an airtight container away from light. Alternatively, preserve petals by pressing them between parchment paper under heavy books for 2-3 weeks, ideal for crafts and decoration. Candying is another popular method—brush petals with egg white, coat with superfine sugar, and dry on parchment for 24-48 hours, then store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 2 weeks.

History & Origin

Penny™ All Season Mix is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: France and Spain

Advantages

+Compact mounding habit makes Penny All Season Mix ideal for containers and borders
+Uniquely colored blooms provide distinctive visual interest compared to standard pansy varieties
+Edible flowers offer dual-purpose use as garnish and decorative cake embellishment
+Adaptable to wide range of growing conditions reduces special care requirements
+Fast 60-70 day maturity allows quick flowering from seed to garden display

Considerations

-1.5 inch blooms are smaller than traditional pansies limiting visual impact
-Edible flower petals require thorough washing before culinary use for safety
-Cool-season preference may cause decline during hot summer months in warm climates

Companion Plants

Marigolds and Calendula are the most practical neighbors here — both emit scent compounds that deter aphids and whiteflies, and they bloom at roughly the same 6-9 inch scale as the Penny violas, so neither crowds the other out. Dusty Miller pulls its weight as a foliage contrast that wants nearly identical care: 6-8 inch spacing, moderate water, no allelopathic chemistry to worry about. Sweet Alyssum draws in parasitic wasps (Braconidae family) that hold aphid pressure down across the whole planting. Black Walnut trees are a hard no — juglone leaches from the roots and will stunt or kill violas planted within their drip zone — and Large Sunflowers block the 4-6 hours of direct sun these plants need to keep blooming.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Dusty Miller

Provides contrasting silver foliage that highlights viola colors without competition

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps for natural pest control

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from violas

Snapdragons

Provide vertical structure and attract pollinators while sharing similar growing conditions

Lobelia

Complements viola's trailing habit and shares preference for cool, moist conditions

Calendula

Repels aphids and attracts beneficial insects while providing complementary colors

Pansies

Share identical growing requirements and bloom times, creating fuller displays

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin through roots that inhibits viola growth and causes wilting

Impatiens

Compete aggressively for water and nutrients, may harbor similar fungal diseases

Large Sunflowers

Create excessive shade and compete for nutrients, stunting viola growth

Eucalyptus

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit germination and growth of nearby plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Slugs, snails, spider mites, aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildew, leaf spot, pansy leaf curl virus

Troubleshooting Penny™ All Season Mix

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Ragged holes chewed in petals and leaves overnight, seedlings disappearing at soil level

Likely Causes

Slugs or snails — most active in cool, wet weather and after irrigation
Cutworms (Agrotis spp.) — if damage is concentrated at the stem base

What to Do

1.Set out iron phosphate bait (Sluggo or similar) around the base of plants at dusk
2.Scatter a 2-inch ring of diatomaceous earth around transplants, and reapply after rain
3.Check under mulch and debris during the day — slugs hide there and can be hand-picked

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually starting mid-season when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — thrives in warm days and cool, humid nights with poor airflow

What to Do

1.Thin plants to at least 6 inches apart so air can move through the canopy
2.Spray with a diluted potassium bicarbonate solution (1 tablespoon per gallon) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading
3.Water at the base, not overhead — wet foliage at night accelerates spread fast

Leaves stippled with tiny yellow or bronze flecks, sometimes with fine webbing on the undersides in hot, dry stretches

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — pressure spikes when temperatures stay above 85°F and humidity is low

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a firm stream of water for several days in a row to knock mite populations down
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to leaf undersides, covering thoroughly — repeat every 5-7 days for 3 applications
3.Mites build resistance quickly; if one product stops working, switch to a different mode of action rather than increasing the dose

New growth distorted or stunted, leaves puckered or cupped, with or without visible insects on stem tips

Likely Causes

Aphid colonies (commonly green peach aphid, Myzus persicae) — they cluster on new growth and excrete sticky honeydew
Pansy leaf curl virus — transmitted by aphids; distortion persists even after aphids are controlled

What to Do

1.Check stem tips and leaf undersides; if aphids are present, knock them off with a strong water spray or treat with insecticidal soap
2.If distortion continues 2-3 weeks after aphids are gone and new growth still looks wrong, pull and discard the plant — pansy leaf curl virus has no cure
3.Reflective mulch film laid at planting deters incoming winged aphids and cuts early-season transmission risk

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Penny All Season Mix pansies to bloom?▼

Penny All Season Mix pansies typically reach flowering stage in 60-70 days from planting. Once they begin blooming, they'll continue producing flowers throughout their growing season under appropriate conditions. Earlier blooms may appear if started indoors and transplanted at the right time.

Can you grow Penny All Season Mix in containers?▼

Yes, absolutely! Penny All Season Mix is excellent for container growing due to its compact, mounding habit. Use well-draining potting soil and containers with drainage holes. Space plants 6-8 inches apart and ensure they receive 4-6+ hours of sun. Containers allow flexibility for moving plants to optimal light conditions.

Is Penny All Season Mix good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, Penny All Season Mix is ideal for beginners. It's rated as easy to grow and adapts well to a wide range of growing conditions. The variety tolerates both full sun and partial shade, reducing the need for perfect placement. Regular watering and deadheading spent flowers will encourage continuous blooming.

What does Penny All Season Mix taste like?▼

The edible flowers have a subtle wintergreen flavor, making them pleasant for garnishing salads and desserts. The taste is mild and slightly minty, which adds a unique aromatic element to dishes. The flavor is complemented by the flowers' decorative appeal and vibrant colors.

When should I plant Penny All Season Mix pansies?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Alternatively, direct sow seeds after the last frost date outdoors. Penny All Season Mix pansies thrive in cool to moderate temperatures and can tolerate light frost, making them suitable for spring, fall, and even winter planting in mild climates.

What makes Penny All Season Mix different from other pansy varieties?▼

Penny All Season Mix features a compact, mounding growth habit with uniquely colored 1.5-inch blooms that stand out from traditional pansy varieties. Its exceptional cold tolerance and ability to bloom across seasons makes it more versatile than standard pansies, living up to its 'All Season' name.