Impossible to win Penny’s Pursuit boss fight

This week's boss fight is hard but not impossible. 

It requires level 3 plants (or higher) to have a chance to win. (EAsy if you have level 7 or above)

What levels are your plants?

Image below shows a possible plant selection (credit goes to Long Vu) and the plant food timing will be critical,

Try peavine, mega gatling pea, torchwood, tile turnip and appEAsemint if you have them.

Concentrate on the middle three rows.

Funny. This is one that I always think of as a good way to rack up some gems because I'm in the bonus prize phase with 2+ mins left. 

I'm using pyre vine, pea vine, bowling bulb, pokra and draftodil. I think pyre vine is great for any level with a possibility of freezing (and is good against weasels). Since this battle has a lot of slots, I also take in the, uh, fire(?) mint which I'm sure has a more clever name. I haven't been having any freezing issues, but that mint will really bail you out if you do. I mostly put it down right at the beginning of the round which probably stuns the boss for a few seconds while I wait for sun and finish planting. I throw imp pear in the last slot and plant one plant and use plant food on it periodically if I'm feeling ambitious. 

Personally, I hate the dark ages Penny boss. The dragon is always burning up my plants, which requires more active play than I want. If anyone has tips for that guy, feel free to pass them along.