Pansies. Can they be overwintered outside?

[Carol Dee]

I just bought some lovely pansies. Right now I have them in a large pot. If I plant then in the ground do I need to do anything special? And will they still be there come spring? I live in Zone 5 (or 4 depending on map) Or can they be brought inside with the geraniums?

 

[thistlebloom]

Your pansies should do fine outside, and come back next spring. It seems that pansies and snapdragons are two annuals that aren't perturbed much by winter.

 

[Smart Red]

We three posters are all much akin in our growing zone so our experiences should be much the same. I have had pansies make it through the long winter to flower early in the spring. I have also lost all track of the pansies I'd planted when the cold came without benefit of a blanket of snow.

I seldom have my snapdragons survive our winters. Last year was an exception in that every snapdragon from my 2011 garden enjoyed the mild winter and is still in bloom today. Even with a snow coat I seem to lose most of the snapdragon plants. I suspect they die out in early spring when the sudden warmth gets them started growing too soon rather than because of cold weather in winter.

Love, Smart Red