The Strongest Flowers I Know are Pansies

Sebastian was delicate and I am insensitive.  

Thank you YJ for this lovely botanical interlude today.  I have loved pansies all my life for reasons I cannot say here.  Although I have been an avid gardener, I have only planted them occassionally, yet whenever I see their happy faces, I have to smile. 

Here is an article from Juneau, Alaska that tells us about the Pansey's Alpine roots and its strength to endure.

Like a sweet breath of spring sweeping us along into the new season, the annual arrival of the first pansies is like hearing the varied thrush singing in the daybreak. It signals the change of life, shaking off of snow and darkness and opening the season of joy and renewal.

They seem so much creatures of the natural world it is difficult to remember that they were brought into being by a small group of dedicated plant breeders a scant 200 years ago.

Lord Gambier, a proper English aristocrat in the late 19th century, like many of his compatriots, was convinced he could change the world by the rigorous application of intelligence and education. This was the age of the engineer: Bridges, canals and illuminated cities were creating a new world.

Our hero had another focus. With his assistant, William Thompson, he was determined to transform the small, incredibly tough alpine violet into something else, something vibrant and multicolored but still able to endure the rigorous life of freeze and thaw.

Plant breeding is an ancient art, and as Thomas Jefferson said, "The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its [agri]culture."

This pair of flower breeders did just that, creating the modern pansy, with the bright splotches of colors and the remarkable face impression that we love. Within 20 years, the seed of this flower was outselling all other flower seed worldwide, and still today it is by far the most popular flower in cultivation.

The qualities of her alpine ancestors; tenacity, early flowering and most importantly to us, the ability to be frozen hard every night and upon thawing to happily continue growing, are masked by the joyful face she presents to the world. The word pansy is an English representation of the French "pensee," or remembrance. Its familiar names all refer to its characteristic ability to call up fond thoughts and deep-seated desires.

The practice of pressing flowers between the pages of a book to remember a certain day or person is perfect for pansies. Their bright colors remain and even a hint of the sweet aroma stays with the delicate preserved blossom.

The Japanese were introduced to the pansy in the early 1900s, and by 1950 it had become their favorite too, the "bansi" and "biolet" are so loved that the modern breeders are cultural heroes with Web sites portraying their newest creations just like other fashion icons.

Pansies have become a worldwide success due to their ease of culture, and the innate human response to the tiny faces. It is as if they all become pets. People use the same terms to describe the pansy flowers as they would when talking about kittens, puppies, or favorite grandchildren.

Here in Juneau, the pansy is the earliest blooming flower that can be planted outside. Its ability to take low temperatures, even to freeze overnight, without losing its blooms are so incredible that flowerboxes and planters sporting her colors are among the earliest signs of returning spring. As long as the flowers are picked before they