Panzies & Snap Dragons
 

I guess its time to think about Panzies and Snap Dragons for the colder months for color. Are there any other plants like those that withstand the cold?:D:cold::pepper2:

Petunias, Bulbine, Camellia, and Gardinia

Cold weather plants
 

My recommendation would be to visit Lowes, Home Depot and WallyMart and check out their 99c annuals, or their flats of flowering annuals. These are the flowering plants which will survive our winter and die back when it gets too warm again. Camellias and Gardenias are beautiful flowering shrubs which survive and flourish year round in our climate.

Decorative cabbages, petunias and pansies. The wave petunias spread.

I think we may be too warm for the cabbages, but hope I am wrong 'cause I love them in the fall and winter garden. Anyone had experience with the cabbages in TV?

The Villages use them in their landscaping throught TV so they must be fine here.

I would say to plant what the Villages plant. We tried lots of different flowers only to be disappointed when the cold comes. Once we started planting what the Villages plant, we were happy.

Thanks for that information on the cabbages. Haven't seen any yet - probably due in the next planting cycle.

Mums the word...or not??
 

I bought 2 mums, large ones for a big planter. One of them died so I replaced it. Now the other one died so I decided that mums don't do well in FL. I bought petunias and pansies and so far the petunias are doing beautifully and the pansies are holding their own. I bought marigolds for another large planter and will plant them tomorrow. We will see how they do. The Villages has them planted in the common areas so I expect they do well. It's fun picking out flowers for the different seasons!!

Happinow - I have seen mums planted in people's yard that are starting to bloom - so I believe mums are fine here. You may have had bad luck with yours. I purchased 3 crotons and 2 of them dropped all their leaves. Fortunately I held onto them and they are leafing out again. Could have been schock from the change of environment.

I see you have discovered the joys of living in a temperate climate. We do get to enjoy flowers all year long and it is great fun changing out the annual planters. Happy gardening.

When deciding on what to use
 

I look at The Village flowers, they are gorgeous....I've used salvia also..
http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/a...raentrance.jpg

Thanks for your post. Very helpful.

I love to see color from flowers, but sometimes the "riot of color" TV plant is too much. They recently did some blue and yellow beds that were striking and it looks like the winter beds are more subtle. Just my opinion.

We just bought two heliconia (false bird of paradise) for large planters in our birdcage. They are quite large and colorful right now. I think we will have to move them indoors when it drops below 50 degrees.

Whas wondering if they take the frost?