In most areas of the country the extent of our planting of flowers at this moment is to think about what we’re going to plant next spring. If you’re lucky enough to live in certain parts of the country however, you can still be planting right now. Gardeners in Zones 8 to 12 can enjoy colors in their yards that the rest of us can only fantasize about, so if you live in these warm weather garden zones why not take advantage of this major opportunity!

Perhaps the most popular flower that is planted at this time of year is the pansy. Pansies are a great choice for a variety of reasons. They come in a wide range of colors and thrive in cooler temperatures. However, I think that their greatest asset is that they will give you multiple seasons of bloom. Pansies are biennials, which means they are planted in the fall so that they will bloom next spring. In these warmer garden zones they will have a long blooming season almost like a summer annual and if it gets a little colder than usual it won’t matter because they can handle it.

There are other lesser known biennials which are also a great choice to plant at this time of year. Wallflowers and calendula are easy to grow from seed and will give you bright orange and yellow colors early in the spring. Cornflowers, also known as bachelor’s buttons, can also be started now as can dianthus. All of these flowers will provide you with lots of color at a time of year when we really need it most.
There are also annuals that enjoy the cooler temperatures found at this time of year. Snapdragons, sweet alyssum, petunias, and lobelia provide a wide array of color choices and they work well in containers as well as flower beds. Feeding them every few weeks will keep the color coming all winter long and if you grow the right variety of snapdragon you can even enjoy fresh cut flowers from your own garden rather than the supermarket.

While spring-flowing bulbs won’t bloom in these warmer zones without a 6 to 8 week nap in your refrigerator there are plenty of bulbs and corms that you can be planting right now. Iris, calla lily and even amaryllis can be planted outdoors. Don’t forget that vines such as jasmine, clematis, bougainvillea and nasturtium can also be planted now and are a great way to dress up your front entrance or your deck and patio. Finally, let’s not forget that roses and perennials will also benefit from being planted now. All of this writing about planting is making me really jealous and I suspect there are a lot of other envious gardeners who would feel the same way!