Pansy Swiss Giant Ullswater Deep Blue

Viola × wittrockiana 'Swiss Giant Ullswater' Deep Blue Pansy 'Swiss Giant Ullswater'

Large velvety deep-blue pansies with the characteristic darker "blotch" centre — the classic English garden pansy at its most refined, the Swiss Giant series providing exceptional flower size, bold colour and reliable performance through cool British weather. Ullswater is the rich indigo-blue selection that brings proper depth and sophistication to spring and autumn containers, window boxes and front-of-border plantings.

The Swiss Giant series is the benchmark for large-flowered traditional garden pansies — bred for substantial flower size, bold colour and exceptional vigour through cool weather. 'Ullswater' is the deep-blue selection, named after the Lake District lake whose dark depths inspired the colour reference: a rich indigo-blue (sometimes shifting toward velvet-purple in cool conditions) with the characteristic darker "face" markings around the central eye. The flowers reach 6–8cm across — substantially larger than dwarf bedding pansies — and the plants form neat compact mounds at 15–20cm height. Hardy biennial typically grown as a hardy annual; in mild UK gardens 'Ullswater' often behaves as a short-lived perennial, returning for a second season from established plants. Flowers in two main seasons: late spring (May–July from autumn sowings) and autumn–winter (October–April from spring sowings).

A note on growing

Pansy seeds require darkness to germinate — an unusual requirement that catches many gardeners out. Sow into a seed tray, keep moist, and keep out of the light until germination (10–20 days). Cover trays with cardboard, black plastic, or a dark cloth until first shoots appear, then move to bright cool conditions. Maintain 15–18°C during germination (cool conditions suit Pansy genetics better than high heat).

Two sowing strategies for two flowering seasons:

• For spring flowering: sow indoors in August for transplanting in autumn; plants overwinter as established rosettes and flower from late spring the following year.
• For autumn/winter flowering: sow indoors in February–March for planting out in May; plants flower from October through winter into early spring.

Plant out in sun or light shade in moist but well-drained, fertile soil. Pansies are hungry plants — work compost into the planting position. Deadhead religiously to maintain the long flowering season; without it, plants set seed and decline rapidly.

Where it shines

In spring and autumn containers, window boxes and patio pots, where the large flowers and deep blue colour create proper cool-season cottage display when most flowering plants have stopped. In bedding plantings for traditional English garden character. At the front of cottage borders for low-growing colour during the off-seasons. As a winter colour anchor — 'Ullswater' continues flowering through mild UK winters when most plants are dormant. Combined with spring bulbs (tulips particularly) for underplanting — the deep blue mounds provide colour at ground level while the tulip stems rise above.

Plant alongside

For a classical English spring container, combine 'Ullswater' with tulips in contrasting warm colours (orange or yellow) — the deep blue and warm tulip colours create classic complementary cottage drama. For an all-blue spring scheme, plant alongside Forget-me-not 'Blue' for layered blue carpets at slightly different heights. For autumn-into-winter colour, pair with Calendula 'Wintersun' (winter-flowering pot marigold) for warm-and-cool seasonal contrast.