I've tried violas, too...quite a few times...where i had planted..they did not come up...But since I gave up on them and reused the soil...which is everywhere...i have these violas throughout garden...at least I think they are them. Juanita p.s. the garden forums annual/perennial forums may be able to assist with your question...I would post there too...

Okay, I'm not in the Florida panhandle but would guess we are in a pretty similar climate. My area is 8B/9, humid, sandy soil, mild winter, long summer, etc. I planted a Forest Pansy in pretty much full sun this July and it grew so much it was truly freaky. The leaves retained their purple color up until about a month ago when they turned green and some started looking ratty but that's the season, I guess. There are several Forest Pansys planted in my area in full sun and they all seem to be doing well. In fact, one place has them planted in the medians in their parking lot and they look great. My neighbor has one planted in the dappled shade of some pines, it has hardly grown at all in two years, and the leaves lose their purply tones. She has regular redbuds nearby that thrive in the same conditions. I LOVE mine and so does every one else who ever sees it. To me, the dark foliage is visually refreshing mid-summer when the sun is so intense your eyeballs ache. Try it, you'll like it!!!

Thank you, Phoggie! I'm in southern Ohio. It's a matter of conservation--of natural resources, and my financial resources. ;) My bedroom is in an addition that can easily be closed off, and since I don't spend much time in it during the day, I don't bother to keep it warm. Also, I've read that one sleeps better in cooler rooms. I really don't notice the cold before I drop off to sleep. If I happen to wake up cold during the night, I can push the button on the mattress warmer, for a little shot of summertime. If I, or someone else in my family, needed warmer temps because of illness, I'd crank up the thermostats. My parents kept the house we grew up in on the cooler side, --that's where I learned to dress in layers. We didn't have air conditioning, either. jemdandy's story sounds very familiar. When my kids were younger we used to camp out in cold weather, often when snowflakes were flying. Those days are definitely over for me!

Hi One of my favorites is Lobelia especially the variety called "crystal palace". Flowers through winter and last year even reseeded through summer . though some of it died out . Will have to spruce it up . Was going to add a pic but comp won't let me lol it sprawls only gets around 4 inches tall so can be grown in very shallow containers ,I use drip trays . Has a fantastic deep cobalt blue color though there are other colors I have a weakness for blue Another is Fuchsia make wonderful hanging baskets as longs as it's cool. i particularly like the large, intense pink,deep purple which are the most heat sensitive but as long as nights are cool will flower profusely!! Was going to put up some large displays this year assuming summer ever ends?? No use doing it as long as nights are still in the 70's good luck gary