‘Feisty little plants’ - Grow appeals for ‘custodians’ to help save rare pansy

Grow Ltd is appealing for islanders to act as ‘custodians’ for the dwarf pansy, after numbers dwindled due to habitat erosion and coarser vegetation taking over.

First recorded in Guernsey in 1871, the native plant used to grow abundantly on Lihou Island and on the coastline from Rousse to L’Ancresse, but now can only be found at Pleinmont.

There are 40 of the plants ready to go to new homes from Grow’s Guernsey Natives range and buyers will be given full botanical information, as well as planting and care guidelines to nurse the species in the best way possible.

‘These are feisty little plants – we are very excited to add this exquisite little pansy to our range of species with the aim of protecting it for the future,’ said Raymond Evison, joint founder of Grow Guernsey Natives, who gave the plants their first lease of life in his nursery.

‘I cannot stress enough the importance of this initiative. Without it, the species could well become extinct. The plant has a lifespan of one year, so collecting seed each year is essential to increase stock and ensure its future is secure.’

In addition to nurturing the plants, custodians will be asked to collect seeds as they ripen and dry them in readiness to sow next April.

The dwarf pansy, also named Viola Kitaibeliana, can disperse their seed up to two metres away from the flower head.

‘This tiny pansy grows best in open, disturbed coastal areas and dunes,’ said La Societe botany section’s co-secretary Helen Litchfield, who helped Mr Evison with the dwarf pansy seedlings.

‘In Guernsey, it prefers the thin soil of our granite cliffs. It should grow well in sandy soil with plenty of sunshine.’

Custodians will be limited to just one of the potted plants due to its rarity, and can buy it for £10 inside Grow’s greenhouse.

• To find out more about whether a garden may be suitable to grow this dwarf pansy, contact hello@grow.gg.