When the garden is dull and dormant in the depths of winter, they stand like a beacon of hope, that one day, in the not too distant future, the garden will once again be full of life and colour. Its strange really that Pansy in slang means sissy or unmanly, as these colourful flowers are as tough as old boots, and can survive snow, ice and winter gales. Thompson and Morgan sell a range of winter Pansies, as plug plants, which can be grown on to full size plants. They are ideal for window boxes, patio planters, hanging baskets and garden borders.