Rule of thumb (in Zone 6-7): Plant summer annuals after tax day.

Meanwhile, take pleasure in the colorful and reliable mainstay of cool-weather annual beds—the pansy. I prefer purple.

Why does the pansy get such a bad rap anyway? If you’re going to choose a botanical pejorative term for folks who aren’t particularly brave or tough, why choose an annual that staunchly soldiers on through the cold months? I think we should rethink the term.

Why not name the gutless and puny after basil instead? Sure, it’s tasty, but the weak-@$$ little herb turns black and wilts the minute the mercury hits the 40s. Pathetic.

Related post: Spring gets its close-up