If its spring where you are, get yourself a punnet of seedling Johnny Jump Ups. Pop them into your garden where ever theres a bare spot. Enjoy the flowers, and let them run to seed. Next spring you will be rewarded with twice as many of these little charmers. As they spring up from the earth you will see how they came to be called 'jump up'. The 'johnny' part of thier name? That I cant explain.
33 comments:
You can get bigger flowered pansies, but they wont self-sow themselves like these little guys will! I enjoy watching them come up each year - I LOVE 'volunteer' plants :)
I'd like some of those!
These wild Pansies aren't hybrids like the cultivated variety so are more inclined to self seed. We get them a lot in the arable fields. In old English they are called Heartsease but I'm sure I read somewhere that they were referred to the 'Johnny Jump Up' name due to their use in herbalism. A patient would recover from bronchitus or fever so suddenly as to 'jump up'.
Alison I get an error when I try to view your profile, so I dont know if you have a blog - or where you are in the world...if youre in Australia - hit the garden centers now and you can get yourself some - otherwise, I think these would be available around the world - and spring is the time to hunt for some - treat yourself! Thanks for stopping by!
Barkfoot Thanks Mate! I wasnt sure if these were the same as Heartsease - and Id completely forgotten about thier powers as an herbal medicine.
So many plants have been hybridized for larger flowers, that alot of these old species types have fallen out of favour - which is a bit of a shame as these old timers are really hardy performers - as you well know. Id love to see some in a natural, uncultivated environment someday, Cheers!
Pansies are great. Small but perfectly formed. Happy WW
love the vibrant colors!
happy WW
What an elegant picture of a humble little flower. I love the way these guys fill a space in a garden. So gracious! You've captured the color beautifully.
I was looking at these in a nursery the other day. Because of your post I'm going back so I can plant some Johnny Jump Ups! Thanks Lavender! I've avoided pansies in the past because of expiry dates ... :)
They certainly are beautiful. I shall give that a go next spring. We're heading into autumn. Have a great WW. :)
Lovely, I always think they look like faces
Hey Lavender, do you think if I threw some of that Johnny Jump Ups and thrown them in my garden somewhere, that it would grow, even for one with a totally black thumb? LOL!
I love pansies. They're so pretty :) Happy WW
Great picture! We're heading into fall here in Alabama, though.
what a beautiful flower and a wonderful shot!!
What a beautiful flower!! Happy WW.
wow ... looks gorgeous!!
happy WW
Such a pretty flower! I love the purple ones. That's as far as my gardening skills go, I like purple ones, orange ones...
See my finger in my cheek and my head tilted to one side? Yeah. No knowledge, just like pretty things. :)
Simply gorgeous! We are just starting the fall season, it is weird to think you guys are just starting the spring! Johnny Jump ups have always been one of my favorite flowers. Really beautiful.
amazing, what a God's creation...nice name...happy WW!:-)
i got a tinge of excitement about spring when i saw this hearty little flower on your blog--then i remembered i am preparing for fall! i plant these as one of the first flowers in my yard each year--am i correct they are not true perrenials in that they come up for a couple of years only?
:)
Hi Lavender. Love this pic. S|Would love to have some of these in the backyard. Am just wondering if I can grow this in this side of the globe, where it's quite hot.
I love Johnny Jump-Ups. I plant them too. We are easing into fall here in NJ. The trees are all sun-kissed. In another month the mountains and valleys will hit their peak of color. Since you are on the other side of the line, keep us posted on your spring. It is so interesting to see the contrast.
Fantastic photo! It seems to fit well with the color scheme of your overall blog as well.
My WW post today focused on the 9/11 anniversity. Please visit the Electronic Village to share your thoughts if you have time.
peace, Villager
I love Johnny Jumpups they are one of my favorite shade flowers.
That is a beautiful flower! We are heading in to fall here so I will have to wait a while to try this.
Have a great day!
What a beautiful flower. I love the richness of the colors.
Beautiful; what an unusual name!
Well it's the wrong end of the year here but thats a beautiful flower.
Thank you Everyone for commenting! Ive been to everyones blog that I was able to access, and enjoyed visiting all of you.
But for the sake of time I will just answer questions here...
Anon - Hooray! Gor for it! These will work a treat in your garden (the hybrids do have a high mortality rate)
Sandee & Just Jesse- Enjoy the autumn, and when winter is at its worst - put Johnny Jump Ups on your calendar for spring!
Nick & Zam - mighty hot where you are, if you have some shade, Id plant some there, dont forget to let them go to seed! (They may die off completely after setting seed where you are - but the seed they leave behind them will give you new plants in the same spot next year!) Give it a try!
BetteJo - Nothing wrong with that! :) But then you could make some beaded flowers - and have them to enjoy forever - without getting muddy hands! :)
Dawnae - Yes, its a bit mind-blowing, its taken me a long time to get used to. But then, I start singing christmas carols in June now ROFL!
KJ - I cant remember whether they are a hardy or tender perrennial/annual...but my secret weapon is letting them go to seed. As the seeds drop from the spent flowers, they lie in wait for spring to sprout - and Wha La! These are especially good to use this technique with, as they flower so freely, one head setting seed doesnt deter the plant from making more flowers - unlike hybrid plants - which are very stingy that way.
Bevson - We Aussies love to see your Autumn too, Theres nothing like that here!
What a beautiful flower!
Thanks Ces! They are very cheerful little sprites.
Well it's turning into autumn here, but I'll grow this pretty little flower in the spring. Wonderful photo Lavender.
Thanks Hardwax! You wont regret growing them, hope you enjoy your autumn!
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