'Chianti Mix' Pansy

Estrada calls this mix "an Italian masterpiece," thanks to the flowers' ruffled petals with occasional scalloped edges. Expect a wide range of colors, including light peach and pink as well as a few yellows and mauves, plus "spectacular splashes of raspberry and garnet streaked across some lucky petals," she says. It's a favorite of floral designers, with stems reaching 20 inches tall and flowers up to 2 inches wide.

02 of 10

'Flamenco Soft Azure Limonette' Pansy

"Of all the softer shades I have trialed, this is my absolute favorite," says Estrada. "It comes in every shade of soft lilac and lavender, often with a sea blue shimmer and some occasional gentle pools of pale gold." Plenty of ruffles and scalloped edges on flowers up to 2 inches wide add extra charm; stems climb to 20 inches tall.

03 of 10

'Flamenco Terracotta' Pansy

Imagine 'Chianti Mix' on overdrive and you have 'Flamenco Terracotta'. "While it blooms in similar colors as 'Chianti Mix,' it presents more often with bolder shades and heavier ruffling," says Estrada. Plus, she says, "the intricate veining is exceptional" and it has a lovely fragrance. Its flowers can grow to a little over 2 inches wide and stems average 20 inches tall.

The key to ensuring the best bloom on your pansy is supporting strong roots. To do this, Estrada recommends slow, deep morning watering and frequent flower removal. "Pansies will literally flower themselves to death," she says. Deadheading and even removing all flowers and buds once per growing season allows the plant to put more energy into its roots to better support more flowering.

04 of 10

'Imperial Antique Shades' Pansy

There's a faded, old-fashioned beauty to the 'Imperial Antique Shades' pansies, which bloom in blush, pale peach, and lemon yellow. With flowers up 2-3 inches across and stems around 20 inches tall, "it is really wonderful in bouquets and vases," says Estrada.

Pansies have so much personality, with all kinds of streaks and ruffles, and an incredible color range.

— Brenna Estrada

05 of 10

‘Arkwright Ruby’ Viola

If you want a sure thing in your garden, Estrada suggests 'Arkwright Ruby,' which features crimson red petals with yellow eyes. The most reliable variety she's grown from seed, it reaches on average 24 inches tall—perfect for cutting. "When planted near a trellis, it is capable of climbing more than 30 inches high," she says.

06 of 10

'Brush Strokes' Viola

The flowers in the 'Brush Strokes' mix have a unique, impressionistic beauty. "Each bloom looks as though it was hand painted and the variation from flower to flower is wonderful," says Estrada. Expect blooms around an inch or so wide on 18-inch-tall stems.

Pansy vs. Viola

The term "pansy" and "viola" are often used interchangeably. To clear things up: All pansies are violas, but not all violas are pansies. Both are members of the botanical family Violaceae.

07 of 10

‘Gem Apricot Antique’ Viola

In addition to their soft, romantic colors, 'Gem Apricot Antique' petals also feature an opalescent cast and violet veining. Flowers reach a little over an inch wide on 14-inch stems. "While it does get good stem length and can lovingly fill a vase, it is also a great choice for incorporating into baking and culinary work, as the bloom size is a bit smaller," says Estrada.

08 of 10

'Tiger Eye' Viola

"This is my favorite of all violas I grow," says Estrada, pointing out its unique deep golden petals and striking dark brown veining. "It is also the most fragrant, capable of permeating the air all around it on a warm summer evening with the scent of chocolate and honey." Stems reach around 16 inches, topped with flowers that are an inch or so wide.

09 of 10

'Accord Black Beauty’ Pansy

Meet the black pansy: "There is something so elegant and mysterious about it," says Estrada. "The petals, which appear to be made of velvet, give the illusion of a shimmering infinite depth within them." The flowers on 'Accord Black Beauty' are around 1-2 inches wide on 22-inch-tall stems; Estrada loves the look of them in a white vase.

10 of 10

'Black Prince' Pansy

Estrada says this variety ties with 'Accord' for her favorite black pansy. "'Black Prince' boasts equally good color and stem length, but uniquely, I have found that occasional blooms will open in the shape of a heart. How can you not love it?" It has flowers up to 2 inches wide on 22-inch-tall stems.

Ready to start sowing? Estrada's favorite online seed sources include Johnny's Selected Seeds and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. She also plans to begin selling select favorites on her own website, Three Brothers Blooms.

And in Estrada's new book, Pansies, you'll find even more flower recommendations, plus smart growing tips and a deep dive into the history of the pansy.