Daisy----Since we have similar climates, I''l tell you what happens for me. I do swan river daisy, petunias, salvias, nemesia, verbena, and lobelia. Ws annuals for me don't start looking nice until about mid July or later, depending on type of summer we're having. So, when you say early, how early? If you want something right away in the spring you'll probably have to buy it.
Duane

Daisy, If you have the room you could start stuff for hanging baskets inside. I am going to start my pansies and viola inside but due to lack of space the basket stuff will have to be wintersown. I have several petunias, some lobelia and I saved seed from a plant called trailing snapdragon-I don't know what it's "real" name is but it was very pretty and bloomed all summer long! Last year I was able to overwinter it in the bathroom, but killed it this time around. Ooops!! Good thing I saved that seed!
-B

thanks for ur suggestions.

i am looking for something to start blooming by may-end june.

sometimes you have something in front of you and still can't see it unless someone else mentions! i have autmn sown pansies which are little plants in pots now. i can use those in the basket. the basket will be west facing area but partial shade. would that be fine for pansies?

I think that should be fine for pansies-here in zone 5 that's when it starts getting hot anyway(end of June), then you can just hide/replace them with something else :-)
-B