1893 - Smiley Mr. Lyle Made Pansy History

I was just tucking some more pansies into large pot when I noticed a lovely yellow one growing in the ground nearby, from last year's pansies that went to seed!  

The surprise of finding it made it even more charming. 


Upshot of all that is I dusted off a draft on pansy history that had been sitting around  waiting to be finished. 
I couldn't find many illustrations of the pansies named which is why I had shelved it.  But, he was a good man and deserves being remembered.

"...among amateurs no name stands higher than that of Peter Lyle of Kilbarchan."

1898 -Pansies, Violas, and Violets

The great popularity of the pansy, which reminds me a little bit of Tulip Mania, is extraordinary.  This article from Journal of Horticulture and Practical Gardening
is looking back on the earlier years and acknowledging Peter Lyle's place in pansy history.

 ____________________________________________________________________

 SHOW PANSIES AND MR. PETER LYLE.

The Pansy is essentially a Scottish flower, at once the most popular with first-rate florists and the most generally grown by the ordinary floral amateurs, from John O'Groats to Maidenkirk. 

The Show Pansy is a cross between our native Viola tricolor and V. cornuta. The raiser is unknown, as also is the date; but we may assume from various incidental circumstances that the fortunate man was from the neighbourhood of Paisley in Renfrewshire, and the period about the year 1823. 

 Medical Botany1832

Singularly enough, this is also the year when Mr. Peter Lyle was born, who, more than any other Pansy grower, has developed the flower by raising some of the very best sorts we yet possess, while from his youth he has kept true to the love of his heart, and is even now as keen and successful a grower of the flower as ever he was, as the grand beds he had to show last summer testified.   

While many districts in Scotland are associated with Pansy growing, such as Campsie, Newmilns, Vale of Leven, and others, Paisley has been the headquarters, and Kilbarchan, five miles west of the county town, has been noted for the enthusiasm of its florists, and may be counted as second in eminence.

Kilbarchan, where Peter Lyle lived. 
I decided to add pictures for anything I was
interested in even if it is a bit odd for this article. :-)

When Mr. Lyle was but a lad his zeal for gardening manifested itself in real hard work. So anxious was he to get his father's garden dug that he has done it three times in one spring ere the right time come, with just "the sid" of weather to justify the sowing of seeds.  The Pansy growers from whom Mr. Lyle caught "the fever" were Wm. Campbell, Duncan Cairney, James Dick, James Gilmore and John Love, the last named being figured in the Journal of Horticulture, October 1st, 1891.   (John Love was also from Kilbarchan. He was fond of pinks.)

1874 - Henri Fantin-Latour

1883 -Henri Fantin-Latour

Raising seedlings was the great hobby of the time, and when Mr. Lyle was twenty-five years of age, he went to his first show in Kilbarchan in 1848.  Before that date shows had been attended in Paisley, and a few friends met there from time to time in the evenings to discuss new blooms, and Mr. Lyle had to walk home in the dark the five miles to Kilbarchan.   To him this was no hardship, as he has ever been wonderfully quick of foot, and his fine constitution and wiry frame are even yet remarkably evident.   In the year 1850, or thereby, a great show of Pansies and other flowers took place in Falkirk, but Mr. Lyle did not attend it,  traveling thirty miles was not so expeditiously performed then as now. 

An old friend of my own, however, attended that show, Mr. James Peddie, gardener to John Gordon, Esq., of Aikenhead, Cathcart.   As a gardener and keen florist the West of Scotland had no other to equal him, and his taste in Pansies was perfect.  Mr. Peddie's first competition in Pansies was at Falkirk, and when he staged his blooms all eyes turned on the young fair-haired gardener and his stand of flowers.  The Secretary, the late Mr. Charles Jeffrey, at once was struck with the stand and complimented the exhibitor thereon, saying "he was sure no finer lot would be shown, and that this would be adjudged first." 
It was so, and from that day the real Scottish taste for Pansies may date, as thereafter the flower was a leading feature everywhere. I cannot name the blooms which were shown at Falkirk, but the following were the varieties most in vogue about that time—viz., 

The only one of the above mentioned I could find. *sigh*

• yellow grounds — Duke of Norfolk, Robert Burns, Gilbert Burns, Sir Charles Napier;
• white grounds, Miss Talbot, Lizzie, British
  Queen, Mountain of Snow;
• yellow selfs, Wonderful and Climax.

In Glasgow on 9th September, 1852, in George's Square, set out in tents, the tug of war came which decided the Pansy championship, and a full report was inserted in the Glasgow Herald. 

Here Mr. Lyle met Mr. Peddie, and was awarded the first prize in gardeners' and amateurs' classes for twenty-four blooms in each. A friend informed Mr. Peddie that he was surpassed by a man who had only 9 yards of a garden. This was true, yet could not be believed; so a gentleman was sent out to Kilbarchan to prospect, and on his return declared that the fact was so, and further that from the same plants in that small garden Mr. Lyle could stage forty-eight blooms any day, which would defy Scotland to beat them. 

It will be historically interesting to name the blooms as well as to show the source of our present stock as exhibited at Glasgow Show in 1852. The gardeners' class were: 

White grounds:

• France Cycole,
• Lady Mackenzie, 
• Aurora, 
• Royal Visit. 

White selfs:

• Princess Royal, 
• Jerome, 
• Queen of England, 
• Marchioness of Breadalbane. 

Forgive me, but I just had to look up the Marchioness of Breadalbane.  I found this evocative quote in a Google snippet - "...Marquis of Breadalbane came forward, when her Majesty cordially took his hand, and alighted from the carriage, followed by Prince Albert. Her Majesty was received by the Marchioness of Breadalbane, whom she ...".  I didn't look harder or further.  

Dark selfs: 

• Rainbow, 
• Duke of Perth, 
• Norah, 
• Maggie Lyle, 
• Othello, 
• Marchioness of Lothian. 

Yellow grounds:

• Duke of Norfolk, 
• Pizarro, 
• Polyphemus, 
• Juventa, 
• Supreme. 

There were two seedlings and Elegant, Sir Wm. Rae, and Lucy Neale. 

In the amateurs' class they were somewhat the same, varied by Gulnare, Napoleon, Princess Louisa, and Robert Burns. 
It is well to note that while to-day we have not one of these victorious varieties, we have some with similar names, as Robert Burns, which is still grown, but not the flower then exhibited. 

Again, there have been two distinct "Royal Visits" to commemorate Her Majesty's coming to Glasgow.

From this date a universal taste for Pansies took possession of our florists. High prices were paid for a small quantity of rare seed, and very soon the increase in fine flowers became notable, while the standard of excellence was gradually raised for form, colour, texture, belting, blotch, and last, but not least, the eye. These six points must be met in a bloom, each point being nearly perfect, or, if one is deficient, the flower is condemned. Size may be counted the seventh point; as, however well up the Pansy may be otherwise, if it is less than 1 1/2 inch in diameter it is not well grown.

Mr. Lyle's success continued, as he was a frequent prizewinner, notwithstanding the extended ranks of competitors.  Then his seedlings were famous, only the real beauties being sent out by him. Of many sorts raised, he often gave those away which friends admired, and his name as raiser was never linked with them at all, while the gems were eagerly sought after, and high prices given for them. 

...among amateurs no name stands higher than that of Peter Lyle of Kilbarchan.

For instance, for two, named Capt. Spiers and Emily Lyle, the late Wm. Paul gave him £7; then for a beautiful one named Maggie Lyle he received £3 10s. from Messrs. Begg & Paul, who brought it out; while for twenty cuttings of one or two promising seedlings he would be paid £1.   Nurserymen gladly add to their collections in this way, as amateurs usually concentrate their energies on one class of flowers, and the result is, as with Mr. Lyle, very special successes. 

(He seems a jolly man!)

A few of the most famous Show Pansies, raised by various florists, are as follows :

• Countess of Roslin, 
• Hugh Austin, 
• Lavinia, 
• Lady Lucy Dundas, 
• Miss E. Cochrane, 
• The Countess of Strathmore
• Flower of the Day. 

Of dark selfs some were really fine, and if Rev. H. H. D'Ombrain could be rediscovered today it would be yet prized. This one endured for more years than any other.   
Irene was introduced by Mr. Middlemass, and was very fine.   

The Black Douglas, and W. B. Spiers and Gem followed—the last a beauty, but small, though as a judge said, it was " guid, guid !" 
    
The late Thos. Hastie, of Strathaven, raised one long esteemed by growers, called James Dalzell, and which we still grow. Later Luna, and then Alexr. Watt, and David Malcolm brings the tale down to recent years.

 A white ground (Jane Grieve) was, however, the greatest wonder perhaps of any Show Pansy ever introduced.

    The method of culture pursued by Mr. Lyle may be of service to many lovers of his favourite flower. The cuttings are taken in September and set in cold frames in good soil and a little sand, lightly watered, and closed and shaded for a week or so, and air gradually admitted afterwards.   

During winter the frame is not kept rigidly closed, but raised a little to allow air to enter and escape in all ordinary weather, but closed in extreme frost. It is damp which destroys the Pansy.         

In March, if any fly appears, a little softsoap dissolved in water is syringed on the young plants and the pest destroyed.  This is repeated before planting out. In April the plants are set out, in soil new to them, as if planted again in the previous year's bed disease sets in. None but well-decayed manure is used, and this is dug in during the previous autumn. The soil is moderately rich and open; heavy clay soil will not do. 

After rains, when the earth is sodden, stir it freely between the plants with a hand-fork. This admits air, and the Pansy, though fond of moisture, cannot endure it to be stagnant. Until the plants grow and look robust, pluck off all the flower buds that show.When liquid manure is given it must be very weak, and in dry weather the plants must not be allowed to flag. As to the much talked of disease, healthy plants to start with are the best preventive; while new soil, in which Pansies have not been previously grown, will almost certainly keep back the invader.

Mr. Lyle's garden faces the south, and has been in cultivation for 150 years. Since he entered it, in 1861, it has only been trenched twice.   Not a weed is to be seen, and though narrow it is long. In trade a joiner, he has always been employed at home, and therefore well placed to give his flowers regular care.   Now, when nearing threescore years and ten, he finds enjoyment and exercise sufficient for his abounding vitality in his garden.    His foot is still light and buoyant, and his cheery spirit gay as ever. 

His children are away from home, one only having opportunity to develop the paternal taste for flowers.   His wife and he dwell in their own property, and are comfortable and free from worldly care.   In March Mr. Lyle will grow Pansies in seed boxes, prick out the seedlings in April into his empty frame, and plant in open ground in June, and be as happy in September over his seedlings, with many friends, as if toil and hardship had never been nigh him all his days.   New sorts will be added to the long list he has raised, let us trust even superior to Mauve Queen, Mrs. Jno. Bolton, Marquis of Lorne, Mrs. Gladstone, Mrs. Arthur, and the rest of his floral achievements, the praises of which we see in all the Pansy catalogues.

Many have worked in the same field with him, but to Mr. Lyle is due, more than to any other single person, the honour of having raised the Show Pansy to the perfection it has now reached.          —Alexander Sweet.

1896 - Part Three: Summary of Whittrock's "A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF PANSIES"

This is the final part of Whittrock's article.  





The two previous installments, with delightful illustrations, are:

• 1896 - Part One: Whittrock's "A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF PANSIES"
• 1896 - Part Two: Whittrock's "A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF PANSIES"

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE  HISTORY OF PANSIES. 

(Continued) 

SUMMARY.

AS the chief result of our investigations, we see that the Pansies of the present day form an aggregate of very different forms of plants produced by hybridisation between various species of the genus Viola (sect. Melanium). 

Their original stock was V. tricolor, L., but several other kindred species of Viola have been crossed thereon, and one among them, Viola lutea, Huds., to such a degree that it has probably had a larger share in the production of the Pansies of the present day than V. tricolor. Thus in their entirety they cannot exactly be compared to what in systematic botany is termed species or variety. 

They certainly should not be called by a name formed according to the rules of binary nomenclature. If a general Latin name seems desirable, I should propose Viola x hortenses grandiflorze, when “ x " signifies the hybrid nature of the forms belonging hereto; the word “hortenses” that they are garden plants; and the Word “grandiflorze,” that they are large-flowering; this to distinguish them from the small-flowering garden Violas of the type of Viola odorata, L.

On comparing the Pansies of the present day with their wild ancestors, we shall find that as regards form, the most conspicuous characteristic of the Pansy flower is that its cross diameter is almost the same as its long diameter, or that it is nearly circular, while in the parent species the flower is constantly much longer than it is broad. The large cross diameter of the Pansy flower is a consequence of an excessive development, more especially of the middle petals. It not unfrequently happens that these petals are the largest, which is never the case in the parent species.

As regards the spur, the Pansies generally follow the short-spurred parent species, Viola tricolor, L., V. lutea, Huds., and V. altaica, Ker. Only a very few Pansies are longspurred,‘ these showing their descent from some of the long-spurred V. cornuta, L., V. calcarata, L. (or V. stricta, Dicksons 8; Co.).

In respect to colouring, Pansies show a far greater variety and wealth than all the parent species, whatever variety of colour a couple of these may present. There is scarcely any colour or shade—with the exception of green, which is so unusual a colour in flowers—that it is not represented in one variety of Pansy or the other. Selfs are white, yellow, red, violet, blue, brown, and black. The colours most difficult of production for the Pansy-raisers are pure blue and pure red. There are now, however, blue Pansies of several kinds. Clear reds in fiery-red and blood-red are still a desideratum. 

 Many-coloured Pansies, as is well known, exist of almost innumerable kinds. That which is common to nearly all of them —but is not found in the parent species of the Pansy—is the large dark blotch at the base of the three lower petals. These blotches are evidently derived from the dark rays of the wild ancestors of the Pansy.

Whatever variety of colour the Pansy may show, one part of the flower is always of the same colour, viz., the so-called eye, or that part of thelowest petal, which is immediately in front of the entrance to the spur. This eye, called by botanists the honeyguide, is always bright yellow, and is the same in all Pansies, even in selfs. This yellow spot, which is the guiding star to insects when visiting the flowers— which is of such great importance for the fertilisation -—seems to have reached such a degree of resistance to all the changes of outer life that it will not give way to anything.

The same seems to be the case as regards the colour of the spur, as in all Pansies which I have had the opportunity of examining—even the pure white, pure yellow, &c.—the spur, at any rate towards the tip, is coloured with violet of a lighter or darker shade.  Why the violet colour so perseveringly remains through all circumstances on this limited spot, is not easy to explain. It is probable that it serves as a kind of protection for the honey contained in the upper part of the spur.

Finally, let us see what problems are still to be solved by the Pansy-raisers in the immediate future.

Foremost amongst those we must place the question of making the Pansies perennial instead of annual or biennial. A remarkable step in this direction has already been taken by the English and Scotch Pansy-raisers, who, with very good results, have used the perennial V. cornuta, L., for crossing with garden Pansies. Much. however, still remains to be done. Those species of Viola most suitable for Pansy hybridization are undoubtedly V. calcarata, L., and V. altaica, Ker, as. both have a very powerfully developed perennial stem, have large and beautiful flowers. and can both of them without any difficulty be cultivated in our gardens. Another species that deserves recognition is Viola latisepala, Wettstein, lately introduced into our gardens from the Balkan peninsula, a perennial species which, on being cultivated here, has evidently thriven remarkably well.

Next to obtaining perennial Pansies, we must place the aim of producing good varieties that come true from seed. In many places these attempts have been crowned with tolerable success, more especially in respect to the selfs ; but very much still remains to be done.

No pains have been spared of late by the Pansy cultivators of Great Britain to increase the charm of the Pansy by obtaining perfume as well as beauty; but by a more extensive use of the odoriferous alpine species. Viola cornuta, L., and V. lutea, Huds., var. grandiflora (L.). Vill., for hybridisation, doubtless much may still be done in this direction.

Probably in direct opposition to most Pansy-raisers, I consider it most desirable to obtain more variety as regards the form of the corolla of thePansy. For sixty years the Pansy cultivators have almost unanimously endeavoured to make the corolla of the flower as circular as possible; and it is undeniable that the corolla type obtained by these means, and now reigning almost supreme, is beautiful —ay, very beautiful; but this fact does not prevent other forms of tho corolla from being as attractive to the eye that has learnt to admire those products which Nature herself offers us.

As in a wild state Viola tricolor, L., produces pelorias both with and devoid of spurs, the raising of Pansies of a similar structure should not present insurmountable difficulties. A similar form has long been under cultivation from V. odorata, L.   If, in addition to this, we remember the existing forms of the double Pansies which, by suitable cultivation, may doubtless be greatly improved, it seems to me that it is very probable that our gardens will be in time adorned with Pansies which give the impression of wealth and variety, not only as regards colour, but also in respect to form. .

At all events, it may in truth be said that—even if only remembering what has already been done--the garden Pansies plainly prove what hum1n intelligence, coupled with skillful perseverance, can perform in a department where it is a question of giving pleasure to millions by caring for, improving, and multiplying plastic forms of these lovely plants which Nature, even in the North, so generously offers us. 

Professor V. B. Wittrock, Stockholm.

1896 - Part Two: Whittrock's "A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF PANSIES"

This second part of V. B. Wittrock's article ... 

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF PANSIES. 

(Continued)

IN the thirties, one of the favourite flowers of the English was the Pansy, which competed with the Rose itself for popular favour. Both distinguished amateurs and talented nurserymen devoted themselves to the cultivation of the Pansy, and gained one success after another. The English horticultural societies offered prizes for the finest flowers. Every nobleman, every owner of an estate wished to have their special collection of Pansies, and the nurserymen, who were well rewarded for their pains, did everything they could to keep alive the interest of the public by constantly producing new varieties. 

In the middle of the thirties (1830s) the price for new and good varieties was 5s. a plant, and for specially excellent ones a far higher price was paid; £10 was offered for the seedling of “Metropolitan”, and refused.

Those varieties raised from 1820 to 1836 certainly possessed larger and more brilliantly-coloured flowers than their wild ancestors, but as regards the form of the flower no change was made, it being still more or less elongated in the same way as in the wild Viola tricolor, L., or V. lutea, Huds.    

During the latter half of the thirties, however, a change took place, as, dating from 1836, the first object of the British Pansy raiser  was to get the flowers as circular as possible (fig. 122).

In The Floricultural Cabinet and Florists' Magazine of the above-mentioned year, this quality is described as more to be desired than all others, and but a couple of years elapsed before this ideal was attained. The magazine just mentioned of 1838 and 1839 contained several figures representing new varieties of Pansies, and among these we find at least two, viz., Ne Plus Ultra and J. Burley's Lord Durham, the flowers of which were almost perfectly circular.

In the beginning of the forties the interest for Pansies rose to such a pitch that special horticultural societies were formed solely devoted to this plant.

The Hammersmith Heartsease Society held its first Pansy show in 1841, and continued them for a long course of years.  At the present time (1893) it has been succeeded by a society having the same objects in view, called the London Pansy and Viola Society.  In 1845 the Scottish Pansy Society was formed in Edinburgh, which has shown such vitality, that from that day till now it has continued its activity with great success.

By these two Pansy societies, formed in the forties, certain demands were made on the Pansy flowers, which were to be complied with before the flower could obtain a prize at the shows. 

The principal demands were:

1.  The flowers should be circular.
2.  The petals should be even, thick, and velvety.
3.  The colour should be either uniform (selfs), or else but two (belted flowers).

But besides these, several other requirements were enumerated, and, curious to relate, these demands were fully realized in a large number of varieties raised at that time.  Indeed, for about twenty years these show Pansies reigned almost supreme in Britain. All other varieties produced by the Pansy-raisers were discarded and ruthlessly destroyed.

The effects of this partiality in time, of course, became apparent. However interested the British public might be in the charming flowers of the forties, it must at last become evident that the numerous so-called new varieties continually appearing were, in fact, but a constant repetition of the five well-known types.  The need of a change in this respect began to be more and more obvious.

Salvation then came to this lovely English flower from France and Belgium in the form of an entirely new class of Pansies, viz., the so-called Belgian or fancy Pansies. Here we find just what is wanting in the show Pansy, viz., great variety of colouring, the brilliant colours being prevalent, and a distribution of colour not only according to the old well-known scheme, but also on a number of others that agreeably appeal to our inherent love of beauty.

In the early thirties the English Pansy was introduced into France, and was there cultivated

by skillful horticulturists, who took great pains in further improving it. Among these Pansy-raisers let me mention Miellez of Lille, and James Odier, the owner of Bellevue Castle, (this is an amazing recent story of the building) near Paris.  From the latter come the Odier Pansies, remarkable for the enormous development of  the blotches on the three lower petals, which is so characteristic of the fancy Pansies of the present day, and specially for those belonging to the Cassier, Bugnot, and Trimardeau classes.

In Belgium they also strove to improve the English Pansies in the thirties, and partly in the same way as in France, without regard to the laws of beauty laid down in England.

The French fancy Pansies were brought before the English public in the early fifties by John Salter, but gained scarcely any approval.  By the prejudiced English they were dubbed “French rubbish",  and it was only in 1858 to 1860 that the interest of the British public was aroused by a whole series of brilliant French forms of Pansies chiefly imported from the florist previously mentioned, Miellez of Lille.

These fancy Pansies were cultivated by eminent horticulturists in the north of England and southern Scotland, where the centre of the cultivation of Pansies had been removed in the latter half of the fifties, in consequence of a destructive disease which had laid waste numerous Pansy grounds in southern England.  New and splendid forms were now raised in great numbers, more especially by the activity of William Dean of Shipley, and Downie, Laird and Laing of Edinburgh, and in time these Pansies became so general and popular, that in 1871  The Scottish Pansy Society decided to offer prizes for this class of Pansies at their shows.  Special rules of beauty were fixed which the judges had to follow when considering the several merits of the fancy Pansies on exhibition.

But now—as in former times with the English show Pansies—it happened that the limitations outside which it was deemed there could be no beauty, were far too narrow. 

The perfectly-circular form of the flowers was still one of the chief demands, the edges of the petals were to be without waviness or unevenness of any kind, and—most remarkable of all no other Pansies than those provided with large blotches were entitled to a prize as fancy Pansies.  

This last rule has certainly greatly contributed to the fact that, in spite of their varying colours, the fancy Pansies have a tinge of monotony about them.  The large dark blotch is seen everywhere, and in many cases this blotch is so large that it almost covers the entire surface of the flower (fig. 123). The general public has shown broader views in their ideal of beauty; and doubtless this is the cause why the fancy Pansies are being superseded by the far more unassuming but more natural bedding Pansies and the tufted Pansies or Violas.

Fig.123

 BEDDING PANSIES.

The bedding Pansies are characterized by flowers of a smaller size, but at the same time they flower more richly and longer than the typical fancy Pansies, and have their lower growth and are more branched. By these peculiarities they are specially adapted for the production of numerous flowers, and make particularly pleasing beds, and it is from this fact they have their name. The original bedding Pansies Were direct descendants of the fancy Pansies, and, as a general rule, bedding Pansies are but richly flowering, more dwarf-like fancy Pansies.

The tufted Pansies or Violas have essentially another origin. They are derived from the English Viola lutea, Huds., as also from the Pyrenean fragrant V. cornuta, L., both crossed with garden Pansies. 

Their characteristics are: 

• a more perennial habit ; 
• a tufted growth; 
• smaller flowers which are not circular, and 
• generally spread an agreeable perfume.

Cross-breeding has undoubtedly always played a great Idle in the production of new forms of pansies, but in most cases without any plan, insects crossing varieties cultivated near each other. The horticulturists have simply made their selection among the numerous forms which have arisen as a result of this crossing performed by Nature herself. The tufted Pansies, on the other hand, have chiefly to thank for their existence Pansy-raisers, who themselves undertook the hybridization.      James Grieve of Edinburgh, in 1862 and 1863, crossed Viola lutea from the Scottish hills with the ordinary show Pansies of that time; and about the same time William Dean began working in a similar way in the north of England.

From these and similar hybridizations not a few of the tufted Pansies are derived, more especially those in which yellow is the prevailing colour.  Viola cornuta, L., has played a still more important part than V. lutea.  Dating from 1863 it has been used by different Pansy-raisers for crossing with varieties of dark Pansies in particular. 

Viola cornuta L.

Thus, in 1867, Dicksons & Co. of Edinburgh produced the, relatively speaking, large flowering dark purple Vanguard, concerning which it is stated that it is derived from hybridizing V. cornuta, as female, with a dark purple Pansy as male flower. About this time B. S. Williams of Holloway sent out his noted Viola cornuta Perfection, and somewhat later the fragrant Sensation. These and other hybrids of V. cornuta were afterwards used for further hybridization with suitable Pansy varieties; and by these means—more especially thanks to Dicksons & Co. and to Dr. Charles Stuart, of Hillside—a considerable number of new varieties of tufted Pansies were raised in the seventies. 

During the last two decades a most interesting kind of tufted Pansy has been raised, viz., the Rayless Violas, which have flowers of but one colour, free from the ordinary dark rays or streaks, whence their name. The first time I find any mention made of them is in 1881, when in The Garden Wm. Robinson related that at Laing's of Stanstead Park Nurseries, he saw two kinds of such Pansies (Hybrida tribe and Golden Queen of Spring). Not until the very last years of the eighties did they become more widely known. 

Then appeared Charles Stuart's well-known Violetta, a very small-flowering almost pure-white fragrant tufted Pansy, the product of a cross between Viola cornuta, L, as the female parent, and the Pansy Blue King as the male plant. Dr. Stuart lays special stress on the fact that in hybridization with V. cornuta it should be used as the female, and thePansy chosen for the occasion as the male plant, if a progeny be desired resembling V. cornuta as regards perfume and perennial duration. Violetta has in turn produced a numerous offspring (among others, the celebrated Sylvia), which, together with other rayless tufted Pansies, play an important part in the shows of the Scottish and English Pansy societies.

Besides the species of Violas already mentioned, in very rare cases Viola calcarata, L., has been used for the improvement of the Pansy.

Viola calcarata Vill. [as Viola zoysii Wulfen]

From Dicksons & Co, of Edinburgh, a statement has reached me that Viola stricta has been used for the same purpose (Ariel, stricta alba, Indiana, etc., are said to be derived from this species; but it is evident that this Viola stricta cannot be the Viola stricta of the botanists.

Dicksons & Co. declare that their Viola stricta is an Indian species.  In consequence of this statement, I wrote to the author of the Flora of British India, Sir Joseph Hooker, concerning the matter, and in reply, he says, "There is certainly no Indian species remotely even allied to the cultivated Pansies."

It has been mentioned above that a. double Pansy was known even to Parkinson, the old English writer on horticulture (1629).  In the present century double Pansies have now and again made their appearance, among which the most known is probably Good Gracious, a variety which was cultivated largely in Ireland and Great Britain in the middle of our century, and “Lord Waverley" from the Hale Farm Nurseries, near London, in 1876.

Into Germany the English Pansies were introduced during the thirties, but it was not until the fifties and sixties that the German Pansy-raisers began to produce new varieties. As an instance, let me mention Negerfurst, the product in 1861 of careful selection made year after year by C. Schwanecke of Oschersleben, and Kaiser Wilhelm, introduced about 1872 by Chr. Lorenz of Erfurt. At the present day the German cultivation of Pansies ranks very high.

The northern limit of the Pansy is attained in Norway where it has been cultivated with perfect success in several places in the arctic region, in East Finmark at 69º or 70º north latitude.

(to be continued with a summary)

1894 - John Lewis Childs Superfine Pansies

You can drown in the color in John Lewis Childs' lithos of his flowers. 

19th c. - Pansies...What's In A Name?

A lot, I think, is in a name!  

In today's seed trade a name can make or break a sale I have read.  But how can you ignore names from the 19th century that are so magnificently awkward to our ears?  

(Plus, the word bloched has added a "t" in the last 100 years.)


How about Bugnot's for a name?  

Was there a Mr. Bugnot, famous for pansies?  I'll have to look and see. :-)

1840 - Miss Molesworth, The Pansy

How could one not share a pansy named Miss Molesworth!!

1844 - The Pansy, Grand Duke of Russia; A Lovely Litho

My mother always bought me a pot of pansies for my birthday so they have become a flower that always makes me feel good when I see them.  While I buy my own now, her gift is always there.  This litho stands out for its charm!

1884 - D.M. Ferry's Pansies - Collection of the Nine Best

Tis the season...almost...here in Connecticut!  I have some flats out on the porch but the snow is still piled where they are to go.  Perhaps a big pot this year?

I am researching lettuces at the moment but when this colored plate turned up in the D. M. Ferry catalog on the way to an illustration for Early Tennis Ball lettuce I could not resist!

Pansies in the WW I Trenches and Other Images

I promise not to put up any more pansy cards this year.  Scout's honor.

I thought I had harvested most all currently available but I worded the ebay search differently tonight (pansy lady) and turned up some interesting images, many French.

This one was WW I.

 The next one reminds me of the creepy flower ladies in the
 last post who were in some other plant.