Here's a question I ask every year at about this time in the calendar... "What other color/annuals choices are available that can give a colorful splash in the garden from November through February, besides pansies. Don't get me wrong, I like pansies and violas, but I'm also always on the lookout for different things. To that end, that's what this week's email tip is all about. And in perfect time to for our final GardenLine Appearance of the season, because Maas Nursery is fully stocked with every imaginable "winter color" and you can come check many of these out for yourself this weekend.

I'll get to more on the GardenLine appearance a bit later, but I do want to focus on winter annuals/color other than pansies today. For me, this week's tip sheet couldn't have come at a better time, because we are finally done with that "transitional" period, where frankly it's still too hot to get the cool season annuals to thrive, but still not wickedly cold to make a mid November planting become a waste of money. The ultimate "transitional" color is petunias, and while they are doing quite well right now, they do tend to have a hard time recovering after their first 30 degree night.

I realize a lot of you may also be like me, and could have just as easily lumped Snapdragons in to the "anything other than..." category, but I'm very pleased with the dwarf varieties of snaps that have hit the market nicely in the past two years. Simply put, they just don't get so leggy and lanky. Then there are dianthus that have gotten bigger, better and stronger over the years, and don't automatically melt away on a 30 degree night as well. Keep in mind; it has been since 1989 that we've experienced a devastating freeze the likes that can wipe out even cold-hardy annuals. So, with very few exceptions most of these annuals can handle a night or two in the high 20s and low 30s, but none can withstand days in the low 20s and high teens.

So, with all that said here is a list you can take with you to a local nursery or garden center and see what else you find besides pansies. Oh, by the way, I do like pansies; it's just that it seems to be the only choice for way too many residential and commercial properties. I guess I'm hoping to see some "outside-the-box" thinking by the GardenLine Faithful this year. And as always with these weekly diatribes, feel free to weigh in yourself, if you think I'm missing something that has become a cold-hardy favorite of yours. Just make sure it's available to the public.

Most of these choices work well in Sun to Part Sun

• Marigolds
• Alyssum
• Dianthus (Especially the Melody Series)
• Dwarf Snapdragons
• Ornamental Cilantro
• Ornamental Parsley
• Ornamental Kale
• Ornamental Cabbage
• Ornamental Lettuce
• Swiss Chard (especially Rhubarb Red)
• Larkspur
• Calendulas
• African Daisy (Osteosperma)
• Bronze Fennel
• Alstromeria (Peruvian Lily )
• Scabious
• Sweet peas
• Primrose (only Obconica)
• California Poppy
• French Hollyhock (Zebrina var. only)

Shade Loving Choices: Yes, we are limited, but that's still better than NONE which was sort of the case 20-30 years ago.

• Lemon Balm
• Columbine
• Primrose
• Cyclamen

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