A visually beautiful book, Pansies by Brenna Estrada is more importantly really informative, helpful to gardeners whether generally interested, or-like me- a certified lover of pansies and the overall viola species. The pages introduce historical background, growing techniques, a comprehensive illustrated listing of pansy varieties, and detailed ideas on using and displaying these petite beauties. Estrada’s emphasis on flower arrangements expanded my impression of the flowers’ display possibilities; I enjoy them mainly outdoors in flower bed settings, so this may be a direction for gardeners and flower lovers to explore. Thank you to Timber Press and NetGalley for providing an early digital review copy.

In this book you will learn everything from starting pansy seeds to using your beautiful flowers in stunning arrangements. Estrada also examines all the different varieties available - their names are just as charming as the flowers themselves. Here, in one book, was all I ever wanted to know about my favorite flower. Studded throughout with GORGEOUS photos, this is a feast for the eyes that you'll want to peruse again and again.

Reading this book made me so excited to try growing more violas! I am a gardener and love growing flowers, so I was looking forward to this book as I follow them on IG. It is such a beautiful book, even in electronic form. The photographs are detailed and gorgeous. The book begins with the history and origin of pansies followed by how to grow them. Most of the book describes types of violas/pansies with several pages dedicated to each one. I didn't know there were so many beautiful varieties. I preordered a hard copy​ of the book after looking through my electronic copy for only a few minutes.​ I highly recommend this book for gardeners. It would make a beautiful gift!

This book was so instructive and beautiful. It's a must-have for every gardener!

First of all, pansies are one of my favourite flowers so, obviously, I found this book beyond beautiful! But above all, the depth of knowledge on the subject was incredible. I now wish I had a book like that for all my favourite flower species.

On top of all the care tips and tricks, my favourite part was the listing of all the different varieties of pansies, and I will definitely buy a physical copy of this book to add notes about my garden and my pansy collection!

Thank you NetGalley and Timber Press for the ARC!

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

Already familiar with Brenna's work through her own work and through Floret Farms and the incredible work they do. I had already got a couple of her seed packets recently and when I saw this pop up I knew I had to read!

I loved that this was a combo of research on early pansies and violas, which was really fun to read, and with her own anecdotes on how she plants, germinates and cares for her plants and the varieties she's grown and rediscovered. Plus all the incredible photos of the different kinds and the stunning ideas and little recipes for floral arrangements, and even edible things for the flowers.
The photography is absolutely stunning. Her flowers are so beautiful.

Pansies by Brenna Estrada
How to Grow, Reimagine, and Create Beauty with Pansies and Violas
"This must-add to your garden library" is an indispensable guide to pansies—and a brand new way to look at the dazzling flower that brings drama, whimsy, and diversity to every garden and arrangement (Erin Benzakein, Floret).
How to Grow, Reimagine, and Create Beauty with Pansies and Violas
Pansies is the big idea flower book we’ve all been waiting for. While working at the famed Floret Flower Farm, Brenna Estrada was so inspired by the pansies being grown that she began to trial hundreds of varieties of pansies and violas on her own farm. Her innovative approach to growing in full sun results in pansies with long stems, breathtaking fragrance, and unique color.
Filled with stunning photography, Pansies is perfect for growers, florists, artists, and collectors. Readers will discover:
·The fascinating history of pansies and violas, from their origination as a wildflower to a necessary adornment in every household garden
·Everything you need to know about growing pansies (and how to save pansy seeds!)
·How to keep pansies healthy and resilient all year round
·Inspiration for incorporating pansies in crafts, recipes, and in the apothecary
·Inspiring examples of knockout bouquets and arrangements
·Lush profiles on 50 varieties of pansies and violas available today
I recommend this book.
Wonderful pictures.
Lots of good advice.
You will want to keep this book with your other garden books.
Pansies by Brenna Estrada is a wonderful 5 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

I wanted to read this because I love growing violas. I'm not as familiar with pansies specifically. The photography in this book was done really well, which was a really important part for me. This was especially nice in the section which highlighted various varieties of pansies and violas. Being able to see all of the detail of these small flowers was appreciated. There's a long section about the history and breeding of violas. The section on growing violas had some good tips. I also liked the pictures of the bouquets you can make with violas. I've never seen them used that way, and I think they did a good job with that. I'm always looking for new varieties to grow, so I enjoyed going through this book.

This is an AWESOME book on pansies. There hasn’t been anything written on the subject in some years so this was well waited for. Beautiful pictures and newer bred varieties by the author. So good!

Pansies' cheery faces bring me such joy! They have been a favourite in my family for generations and I grow masses of them. This extraordinary book by Brenna Estrada could not be more fitting and I absorbed the wondrous illustrations, lush photographs and fascinating like a sponge. It is truly a joy to behold.

Anything a pansy and viola lover could ever hope for is included such as their history, the introduction of varieties over the years, fancy pansies, exhibiting, growing requirements (yes, in full sun), maintaining them (removing all blooms and buds monthly), sewing in flats, soil prep, insect and pest prevention (buy ducks!), fertilizing, and collecting seed. There is also a popular past varieties list and an extensive section with specific varieties with bloom size, height, cutting stem length, fragrance and colour.

Delightful varieties include 'Bunny Ears', "Chianti Mix', 'Floral Days Mountain Dew', Fizzle Sizzle series, Nature 'Mulberry Shades', 'Sweet Pea Mix'', Gem 'Apricot Antique' and 'Tiger Eye'. The author describes which are the most fragrant and which are ideal for cutting which many don't do. They last an impressively long time in vases.

As if that weren't amazing enough, prepare to be stunned and inspired by seasonal arrangements and pairings with other flowers and greenery, doable by anyone who grows flowers, whether with a green thumb or not. I grow them in climate zones 2a and 8b...they can grow in many areas. These sweet lovelies also have other uses in the home.

This book is an absolute dream for anyone even remotely drawn by these nostalgic sweet things. Regardless of knowledge or experience, you will certainly experience lightbulb moments. As a master gardener, I realize the more I know, the more there is to learn, and I love that!

In Pansies, Brenna Estrada shares her effervescent enthusiasm for this flower. Hobby gardeners, cut flower growers, and florists will find so much to love in this book.

Brenna walks us through a detailed history of the pansy, showing us that pansies were much more than border plants. She includes beautiful, full page images of so many unique varieties of pansies and then gives us the design recipes for the most magnificent arrangements.

After falling in love with the pansy and wanting to grow all of the varieties, Brenna gives us information to grow pansies from seed, propagate pansy plants, and successfully overwintering them.

Pansies is a beautiful book full of inspiration!

I have been in love with Pansies forever. I love their bright, beautiful flowers. I love that even in cold climates, they will often survive with winter and cheer us up in the spring - and again later in the year. I've been known to rescue pansies when gardeners pulled them all out in Delaware where I was visiting, and I brought them back to my home in Massachusetts because I knew I could replant them and I'd keep them for months of more beauty. But I certainly didn't know that there are over 600 recognized species in the genus Viola! (A fact I picked up while reading this book.) The first chapter is academic, providing a detailed introduction to the history of violas and the origin of the garden pansy.

Chapter two covers growing pansies, including growing them from seed. The author also provides information on how to propagate by cuttings, root division, and layering - and she provides useful photos on how to accomplish this. And she addresses how to keep pansies safe from garden hazards, including challenging weather conditions.

But of course the best part are the multitude of pages of photos and descriptions of so many different types of pansies and violas. Many of us don't consider pansies to be appropriate for floral arrangements, but the author provides information about how to grow them for arrangements and provides glorious photos of stunning arrangements.

And did you know that pansies are edible? Beautiful photos of soups, salads, desserts provide ideas. They also have been used for apothecary and health applications.

This book is a thing of beauty and it's also very educational. I'm glad I found it.

Pansies are a delight. The arrangements are far fetched when it comes to longevity but the images are gorgeous. This is a pretty book to look at.

Pansies are amazing and I love that they are getting the attention they deserve in this book. Using them as a cut flower is a dream and I can’t wait to try the techniques and tips suggested in these pages.

I was astounded by this book's ability to be as informational as it is beautiful.

With art and photography of high enough quality I want to frame it, this would make an adorable coffee table or waiting room book.

Some of the specificities Brenna Estrada included I wouldn't have thought to ponder in a million years. The differences in personality as cut flowers from cultivar to cultivar, the nuances in each bloom's fragrance. This could be enjoyed by anyone interested in pansies - seasoned gardener or not. I'd personally throw in a pack or two of pansy seeds and make it the perfect gift!

{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Brenna Estrana and publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!}