Crocus bulbs and dwarf daffodils will bloom as early as January in a container that is grown close to the house.
Next add a perennial such as Sedum Autumn Joy or Euphorbia Glacier Blue in the center or back of the pot. Contrast the upright form and colorful foliage with a winter blooming heather near the front of the pot and use the rest of the available space for winter-blooming pansies. The smaller the flowers on the pansy, the better they can tolerate cold weather.
If you follow this recipe using bulbs, perennials, heathers and pansies you will have color all winter – with spring bulbs that will pop up through the foliage of the other plants.
Marianne Binetti is the author of “Easy Answers for Great Gardens” and eight other gardening books. She has a degree in horticulture from WSU and will answer questions from her website at.binettigarden.com.
