Expert: C.L. Fornari - 8/23/2006

Question
I HAVE A LARGE FLOWER BOX ALONG MY HOME THAT IS FULL SUN MOST OF THE TIME.  I WANT TO PLANT FLOWERS NOW THAT WILL LAST AS LONG AS POSSIBLE - EVEN INTO A POSSIBLE FREEZE (BUT NOT A NECESSITY!).  I LOVE PETUNIAS AND LOVE 'COLOR'

THEY CAN BE ANNUALS.  WE LIVE IN CHARLOTTE, NC.

THANKS MUCH
BH

Answer
BH,
I don't know how well stocked the nurseries in your area are at this time of year, but if you can find them, Scaevola and Ageratum do very well in the fall.  They are not hardy through a freeze however: the best annual for bright color through frosts is the ornamental cabbage or kale.  These plants come in pink or white, and the colder it is, the brighter the colors get.  They'll look good even past Christmas!  Variegated vinca vine also does well in cold weather, and you can use that to hang out of the box.  Tip the cabbages when you plant them so that they face front.  Then you can add some smaller purple fountain grass behind them if you can find them in your garden centers now - in my area they are for sale and are dark purple foliage with pinkish plumes.  The combination of the purple fountain grass, ornamental cabbages and kales, and variegated vinca would be colorful, long-lasting, and stunning!

I hope this helps!
C.L.