Pansies are the perfect plant for just about any garden. They're hardy and easy to grow. They'll survive wind, rain and even frosts. And just as importantly, they're stunning and striking - with a colour and pattern for just about any style of garden. In fact, at the time of writing this we have 19 different varieties of pansy available at Awapuni.

Probably the easiest way to work out what type of pansy you'd like to purchase is to visit our online shop where you can browse the myriad of different pansies available. Awapuni has the full spectrum of colours, from blues to yellows to reds, as well as mixed colour varieties.

To plant, choose a spot in the garden that receives morning sun and has good drainage. Next, boost soil fertility and encourage bright, healthy blooms by adding organic compost and fertiliser.

Once that's done, dig a wide, shallow hole for each plant and space the holes 10 to 20cm apart. Make sure the holes are wide enough so the plant's roots don't become cramped. Cover the plant roots with garden soil and give them a good watering, then add a layer of mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds and keep frosts at bay.

If you're after an alternative planting spot, you can't look past a hanging basket. In fact, I can't think of a flower more perfectly designed for this. Just remember not to over water. If you're not sure, put your finger in the soil to test. If it's still moist, don't add any water.

Once planted you don't really need to pay any more attention to your pansies. Simply make sure the soil doesn't get too dry and pick the flowers as they fade to encourage more blooms.