Pansies and Petunias: a continuing discussion

Eugene, Oregon
July 19, 2016 10:48pm CST
For the life of me, I can't remember the difference between the two. I like flowers a lot and Anne plants plenty of both along with roses and many more. She even gave me this hint, "Pansies have faces, Petunias don't. Simple, right? Not for me. Even as I write this, I have to check to see if I am getting it right. Okay, is this a a guy thing or one of those dreaded "age" things. Nahhhh, no way. I just don't pay enough attention. Anyway, I am determined that by summer's end I will get these flowers straight once and for all. Photo is mine Maybe a photo of each one taped to my screen would help. I am sure that most of you know the difference between the two. Any help for an old guy confused about flowers?
15 people like this
14 responses
@responsiveme (22932)
• India
20 Jul 16
A pansy looks like mickey mouse
6 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Jul 16
As I respond, I am watching a documentary about Walt Disney. That idea may help.
1 person likes this
• India
20 Jul 16
@JamesHxstatic My son used to say that
1 person likes this
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
20 Jul 16
@responsiveme, really? never noticed that!
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
20 Jul 16
I think that it is only a matter of paying attention to the shape of the flower. As simple as that.
3 people like this
@marlina (154183)
• Canada
20 Jul 16
@JamesHxstatic Try it, focus on it 100% and you will know for the rest of your days.
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@LadyDuck (454973)
• Switzerland
20 Jul 16
The smell is different, petunias smell pretty bad in my opinion.
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• Eugene, Oregon
20 Jul 16
Easy for you to say, lol. I will even try that!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (454973)
• Switzerland
20 Jul 16
It's easy petunias smell bad, pansies not.
2 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Jul 16
Maybe I did not stop and smell those flowers. I'll test that one.
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@marlina (154183)
• Canada
21 Jul 16
I don't have a good sense of smell anymore, so I could not distinguish a flower by its scent.
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@LadyDuck (454973)
• Switzerland
20 Jul 16
@JamesHxstatic Those in your photo are petunias, pansies most of the time have two contrasting colors.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jul 16
think'f petunias's lookin' like those ol' victrola record players - one's with the fancy, fluted horn :) dont' fret such. i've been tryin' to teach the diff'rence 'twixt tulips'n daffodils fer o'er 30 years...to no avail.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jul 16
@JamesHxstatic yer welcome :)
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Jul 16
That image of the old Victrola may help. Thanks!
1 person likes this
20 Jul 16
It's not just a guy thing... I do not know the difference either. :-0
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
31 Jul 16
use the net and get pictures that show the differences the www is just great for that. y
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323744)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 16
I would never have thought of someone having trouble differentiating between these two plants. Many others I find difficult but not these. Sorry - I can't think of a way to help. Maybe only grow one or the other?
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Jul 16
Since Anne is the grower, I guess I just keep guessing and see if I am right. It is 50-50.
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@JudyEv (323744)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 16
@JamesHxstatic That's true. You're going to be right half the time which is pretty good odds in this day and age. I'd be happy with being right half the time.
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@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
31 Jul 16
use the net as you can get really good pictures of pansies with the faces and petunias that smell jus t divine our internets there to teach us older people all sorts of stuff lo
@silvermist (19706)
• India
20 Jul 16
@JamesHxstatic I love looking at the flowers--all flowers.Just look at all those colors.Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
20 Jul 16
They are both lovely flowers though quite different - they both begin with P though! I often don't know the name of flowers either - if I don't grow themself I'm often ignorant of their names.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
20 Jul 16
I don't know the difference either so you are not alone.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Jul 16
Glad to hear that!
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37346)
• Philippines
20 Jul 16
Lovely flowers.sir
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
20 Jul 16
It's just their names that are similar and yes, confusing- but you will get it- I have to stop when people say 'Petunias' though and conjure up the flower in my mind for some reason as I always forget which one it is. hahaha!
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43451)
• Denver, Colorado
20 Jul 16
I couldn't tell the difference if I tried, and I used to plant them every year for my ex-girlfriend's parents house.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
20 Jul 16
Glad to know I am not the only one.
1 person likes this
@tzwrites (4836)
• Romania
20 Jul 16
I know the difference between the two but they are both pretty flowers.
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