The term “posie” carries a dual meaning, referring either to a specific floral arrangement or, more commonly, to the garden pansy. It can describe a small, mixed bouquet of flowers and herbs, historically known as a nosegay. The pansy is a cultivated flower belonging to the Viola genus. This ambiguity results from the term’s long history in both floristry and horticulture.
The Original Meaning: Small Mixed Bouquets
The original meaning of a posie describes a small, hand-held arrangement of mixed plant material, traditionally called a nosegay or tussie-mussie. This compact bundle was constructed to be held close or worn on the person.
The structure consists of a tight, circular grouping of flowers and aromatic herbs, often bound together with string or ribbon. Historically, the posie served a utilitarian function, as the fragrant herbs were included to mask unpleasant odors.
During the Victorian era, these small bouquets became a popular accessory used to send coded messages through the “language of flowers.” The small scale of the posie differentiates it from the much larger, more extravagant bouquets commonly seen today.
The Specific Flower: Pansies and Violas
The term “posie” has become strongly associated with the Pansy (Viola × wittrockiana), a hybrid flower developed from the wild pansy (Viola tricolor). All cultivated pansies are botanically classified under the genus Viola.
The distinction between a pansy and a true viola lies primarily in flower size and petal structure. Pansies are bred to have larger blossoms, typically measuring between one and two inches across.
The more diminutive viola flowers are often smaller than the size of a nickel, but they tend to produce a greater abundance of blooms per plant. Both species are favored by gardeners for their ability to thrive in cooler weather conditions.
Detailed Appearance of Pansy Flowers
The Pansy flower is instantly recognizable by its distinct five-petaled structure and signature markings. The petals are rounded and slightly overlapping, giving the blossom a full, almost ruffled appearance.
A characteristic of the modern pansy is its petal arrangement: two petals point upward, two face sideways, and a single petal points downward. Pansies are available in an extensive palette of colors, including vibrant blues, purples, reds, yellows, and white, with many varieties featuring two or three colors simultaneously.
The most characteristic visual feature is the dark central blotch or pattern that resembles a face or mask. These dark markings, often velvety in texture, radiate from the center of the flower.
Some varieties, known as “blotch-faced” pansies, have a large, dark spot. Other types feature thin, dark lines extending outward from the center, which are sometimes called “whiskers.”
The large, showy blossoms of the pansy make it a popular choice for garden beds and containers, providing bright color in the cool seasons of spring and fall.