We have been anxiously awaiting more sunshine and warmth so that we can get outside and plant some new things!  Fortunately, the pansies and Johnny-Jump-Ups we planted last fall can always be counted on to come back stronger than ever the following spring.  It never ceases to amaze me when I see the pansies covered with ice in the winter, only to see them growing and bushing out and looking beautiful when spring comes again.  For something that looks so fragile, they are truly one of the hardiest plants imaginable!

We usually have to pull out huge clumps of pansies to replace them with something more heat tolerant when the weather gets warmer.  We put this off as long as possible, as the plants become really spectacular, but we have to pull them in time to be able to acquire suitable replacement plants from the garden centers while they still have plenty of stock.  Usually we have one or two wheelbarrowfulls brimming to the top with pansies.  I always hate to see them go, but know we will always plant more of these reliable and beautiful plants come fall.