Additional Flowers
Want more blooms to go with your pansies and violas? Consider using bulbs. Plant them in fall containers now, and you'll have beautiful blooms in spring. Smaller selections of daffodils, such as 'Jetfire,' 'T�te � T�te,' and 'Topolino,' will not take up too much root room in your pot. Crocus, hyacinths, snowflakes and tulip selections (such as 'Pink Impression,' 'Apricot Beauty,' and 'Golden Oxford') will be welcome spring accents to the containers. Once they have finished blooming, just transfer them to the flowerbed when you change out your pots for summer. This is one of the easiest ways for you to add bulbs to your garden.

Still want more flowers? You can try snapdragons, sweet Williams (Dianthus barbatus), calendulas, nemesias, and sweet alyssums. Just remember not to stray from your planned color scheme.

Loves the Sun
Carol says that light is the most critical factor when placing your pots. Choose a location that receives at least four to six hours of sunshine every day. Groom pansies regularly, removing spent blossoms to encourage new growth. Violas will not need to have flowers removed, as they bloom freely.

When planting in pots, good drainage is important. Use blood meal or Osmocote as a slow-release fertilizer, or feed with a balanced liquid 20-20-20.

On cold, gray winter days, your pansies and violas may rest a bit. When the weather begins to warm, they will again explode in glorious color to brighten the season. They will also provide another great gift--fragrance--a nice surprise at any time of the year.

"Colorful Fall Containers" is from the October 2003 issue of Southern Living.