Why We Love Pansies

It was love at first sight. We find it hard to imagine how anyone could look at a pansy, with their pert little faces, velvet-buttery texture, and deep clear colors, and not be enchanted.

In the language of flowers, pansies represent "thoughts of you." Immortalized by Shakespeare in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", the pansy is anything but common.

We have a plethora of pansies in colors that range from Crown White to Rose Frost to help bring your dull spring landscape to life!

Since pansies are edible, they can bring your meal to life, too. Their mild mint flavor complements many dishes. In addition to being a colorful garnish for salads, vegetables, desserts, etc., try these ideas:

Gently pick a handful of pansy flowers from your garden.

Rinse and dry the blossoms as you would salad greens.

• Blend into fresh salad dressing.

• Blend into butter with a little honey and whipping cream for a delicious treat on a warm muffin.
• Candy pansy flowers by coating them with beaten, pasturized egg whites and tossing them lightly in sugar. Let them dry completely, then use them to decorate cakes, ice cream and other desserts. The minty flavor is a nice complement to lemon, vanilla and chocolate cakes.
• Place in ice cube tray for a colorful addition to fresh iced tea, lemonade or cocktails.
• Add 3/4 cup of fresh pansies to a spinach and cheese quiche.
• Of course, garnish these dishes with fresh pansies, and Enjoy!