While many areas of the garden are dormant in January, winter pansies and violas provide much-needed pops of colour. The cold, damp air of midwinter can be tough on these delicate blooms. If you want your displays to bloom until spring, regular deadheading is the most important job. It might feel like a small task, but it’s the secret to keeping your pots and borders vibrant instead of bedraggled.

The process is simple: look for flowers that have started to shrivel, fade, or turn a bit mushy from the rain. Instead of just pulling the heads off, follow the thin flower stem down to the base where it meets the main plant and snip it off cleanly with your thumbnails or a small pair of snips. If you only remove the flower head and leave the stalk, the plant will waste energy. Removing the whole thing tricks the plant into thinking it hasn’t finished its job, prompting it to produce more buds.

January deadheading is also about plant hygiene. In the damp British winter, spent blossoms can quickly become a breeding ground for gray mold (Botrytis). If these rotting petals stick to the green leaves, the rot can spread. Keeping the plants “clean” prevents this spread and ensures better airflow around the crown of the plant.

On a dry winter morning, spending ten minutes pinching off old blooms is a great excuse to get some fresh air. A little bit of attention now ensures your pansies won’t just survive the winter—they’ll thrive right through it.