Depending on your zone it is possible to have flowers blooming throughout the winter if you pick the right varieties. The pansy shown in the picture is a classic cool season flower that can defy the winter weather. I came across this article by Mark Wolfe on Dave’s Garden website which lists eight other plants that are suitable for growing at this season. He also includes tips on soil preparation, cool containers and maintenance.

Dress up your landscape with cool season annuals this fall. Following these few pointers will ensure an abundance of flowers you can enjoy for months.

Color In The Cold
When you think of planting flowers, do autumn leaves, winter frosts and spring sunshine come to mind? If so, you?re in for a treat this fall. When the summer heat begins to subside there is a full pallet of color to be had from the likes of dianthus, stock, snapdragons, pansies and violas. In mild climates, some of these may flower straight through winter, well into spring. These tips and tricks will assure gardening success using cool season annuals.
Top Cool Season Annual Varieties

Variety selection is key to the overall design. Color and texture are every bit as important in the cooler months as they are in summer. Mix colors and textures that complement one another for greater visual appeal. Plant forms are generally either upright, mounding or trailing. Build your container garden or flower bed recipes with these forms in mind, using the upright forms to project height, mounding plants to build fullness, and trailing types to soften hard edges or cover large areas. Here are a few popular cool season annuals.