It's pansy-planting time! Pansies are the quintessential cool-weather bloom for sun or partial sun. For shadier areas opt for violas as they have a better chance of blooming in less sun. Trailing pansies are a great choice to spill over the edge of containers and hanging baskets. We'll have our best selection of all of these between now and Thanksgiving.

Plant now for spring blooms: Snapdragons, dianthus and stock will grow and bloom more vigorously next spring if planted soon. Snaps and dianthus tend to be deer resistant.

Cyclamen are a great choice for outdoor spaces that are protected (covered porches and patios for example). They tolerate dappled shade to full sun (during cool weather) and are cold hardy to around 25 degrees.

Planting foliage that persists through winter is a great way to accent cool-season flowers or add color and texture to very shady areas of the garden (where even violas won't bloom).

Ornamental "leafy greens" such as cabbage, kale, mustard and Swiss chard also add color and interest to winter plantings. Leaves in shades of white, pink, purple and red intensify with colder temps.

Pictured here: autumn fern, ornamental cabbage, Swiss chard, coral bells, cordyline, dusty Miller, euphorbia, juncus, lemon cypress, mustard, sedge, sweet flag