Nothing says Spring to me like pansies do. They're usually one of the first flowering annuals in the garden centers, bright and early in late March and early April. I can never resist their charms and usually come home with three or four varieties a year, that I coax along into August.

Pansies are easy to grow, tolerant of less than dynamic light conditions, and come in an amazing array of colors and color combinations. I seem to gravitate towards the purples and pinks, but there are brilliant yellows, burgundies, black, white, orange, and more. Some of them even have a sweet fragrance, although it's not common to find them (for the record, it was Antique Pink).

Anyone can grow pansies, whether it's in a pot by your door or a planter on your patio. With a little luck, you can have them growing all summer long. Just remember, that once the weather gets really hot, pansies tend to poop out. Plant in semi-shade for best all-summer performance in hot climates.