Due to the large February 2016 winter storm, landscapers are reporting large scale loss of Pansy beds that were located near roads or walkways. This is likely due to large amounts of salt used to melt snow and ice on nearby hard surfaces and the large piles of snow that was piled on the beds. Interestingly, viola beds located in similar areas are doing fine which suggests that Violas may be a better option near roads, sidewalks, and parking areas.
More about this on the University of Maryland’s Integrated Pest Management Newsletter.