Fall planted annuals can provide a needed boost of color beginning in mid-October and lasting through spring. These are winter hardy and not usually damaged by low temperatures. The most commonly used annuals are pansies, violas, dianthus, snapdragons and flowering kale and cabbage. All these plants prefer full sun.
Pansies are winter hardy into the teens and provide an outstanding show of color in early spring. Their close relatives are violas or Johnny Jump Ups which look like miniature pansies and have the same hardiness and good color display. Dianthus or Pinks are also cold hardy to the teens. They come in a wide range of colors and reach 6 to 10 inches in height. Periodic pruning often keeps them blooming year around. Snapdragons have grown in usage the past few years. A dwarf variety is preferable to the older variety that grew tall and fell over from the bloom’s weight. They, too, are available in a wide range of colors and perform well into the spring. The flowering kale and cabbage plants are popular when creating a focal point in the landscape. Light green and purple are the most common of the many available colors. Massed plantings of these annuals reward everyone with striking displays of color.