Super Beaconsfield is a Swiss giant pansy that stops gardeners in their tracks with its dramatically illuminated purple and white petals. The compact plants reach just 8 to 10 inches tall but produce massive 3-inch flower heads in such abundance that they seem to glow against green foliage. It germinates quickly (10 to 14 days) and reaches maturity in 70 to 85 days, making it fast enough for spring plantings yet hardy enough to perennialize in zones 6 through 9. The blooms are not just beautiful; they're edible, adding a sophisticated touch to salads and desserts.
8
Full Sun
—
6-9
?in H x ?in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
Purple and white petals that practically luminece in garden beds, these giant pansy flowers dwarf typical viola blooms at a full 3 inches across. The plants stay tidy and compact despite their oversized flowers, making them equally at home in containers, borders, and beds. Dating back to classic pansy breeding traditions, Super Beaconsfield combines heritage appeal with surprisingly vigorous growth and the unexpected bonus of edible petals.
Super Beaconsfield shines in ornamental plantings where maximum visual impact matters: garden beds, borders, containers, and windowboxes all benefit from those enormous luminous blooms. The edible flowers are a particular draw for gardeners interested in flower cookery, garnishing salads, desserts, and cocktails with both color and a delicate pansy flavor. Its compact height and tidy growth habit make it especially useful in front-of-border positions where taller plants would shade neighbors.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sprinkle seeds on top of moist seed-starting mix (they need light to germinate) and keep at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds will sprout in 10 to 14 days. Maintain consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging. Once seedlings develop true leaves, provide plenty of light to prevent leggy growth.
Harden off seedlings over 7 to 10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant outdoors after the danger of hard frost has passed, or in early fall for cool-season blooming. Plant at the same depth they were growing in their containers, spacing 8 to 10 inches apart. Water gently after transplanting.
Super Beaconsfield can be direct sown outdoors in fall for spring blooming in mild climates, or in very early spring where winters are harsh. Press seeds onto the soil surface; they require light to germinate. Keep soil consistently moist until seedlings are established.
For edible flowers, harvest blooms in the morning after dew has dried but before the heat of the day. Pick flowers that are fully open and free of blemishes. The entire flower is edible; simply remove the green sepals if desired. Harvest frequently to encourage more blooms.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. Pinching back young plants when they reach 3 to 4 inches tall encourages bushier, more compact growth and denser flower production. In late season, light shearing can rejuvenate tired plants.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Super Beaconsfield belongs to the Swiss giant pansy class, a prestigious lineage of Viola x wittrockiana hybrids developed for their enormous blooms and refined growth. This variety carries the weight of pansy breeding tradition; the Swiss giant types emerged from careful selection work aimed at maximizing flower size while maintaining compact, manageable plants. Described as a classic pansy of yesteryear, Super Beaconsfield represents a moment when gardeners prized both scale and elegance in their flower borders, a sensibility that persists among heirloom enthusiasts today.”