I don't know of any Jonathan... we tried when we still had half whisky barrel tubs - waste of time.

That sounds a pity Moon grower. Those must be Scottish half whiskey barrels. Funnily enough, I have some oak half barrels also. I turned them upside down once, and underneath them was some remnants of paint, from a distillery. "Glen-something" I think it said. No wonder Scottish people can't walk straight. Yet a part of me still thinks there must, must, must be an elusive pansy or viola which can truly flower in deepest cold. And someone in Breat Britain is about to leap forward on GOY and tell me there is. Alas, do I concede? Or shall I yet hope in vain?

Hi Johnathan :) I live up north (Newcastle) and get great results with winter pansie's. I didn't plant them last year but the year before there was only about 2 days they didn't show there lovely little faces, because they were covered in snow and i mean covered lol.. They were from B&Q ..

My goodness gracious Youngdaisy. So there ARE more than just the misable little soggy things in Feb! There is hope. I feel on the mystery trail on the elusive things. Do you happen to know a name of them? Gardening for me is all about planning ahead. Even now I am preparing my winter and even spring garden, even as my summer display blazes.

They were just called Winter Pansies Johnathan :) About £5 for 24/30 they lasted untill june, i pulled them out for new bedding..I admit, Im also planning for next spring, Im thinking Tulip colours and winter pansies as it happens, I missed them last year, although i dont think they would of flowered in the worst winter for100 years,There's No plants that brave lol..

I'm so glad you asked this question, Jonathan, as I too plant them every Autumn, only to find that they do nothing very much until the following Spring. They are advertised as 'Winter flowering'...a fallacy! I've tried expensive ones, cheaper ones...all to no avail, so I shall watch this thread with interest! I have to add, however, that the ones planted last Autumn, both in beds and baskets, are still flowering profusely!

The ones in our neighbour's tubs are still flowering too. They were meant to be 'winter' and did not start flowering until March

Mine were planted in Autumn too..sold as winter Viola's.They seem to do much better than so called winter pansies.they were still flowering in June,so I cut the best ones right back,and they are flowering again ,as an edging with summer bedding..they had also seeded in their pots,so those were transplanted into a pot too,and will be in time for Autumn again..Very good value for money.:o)

I find it's the location and conditions. If they're out of the wind, and sheltered from the worst of the elements, they might flower non stop. But if they are facing the elements, they just keep their heads down, until the conditions are more favourable.

That makes sense! The ones which don't flower at all are in hanging baskets...North facing front of house!