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Now hear is a question.  If you had to pick just one of the cool season flowers to stand up to the cold Florida could receive what would it be?  If you guessed the violas you would be right.  These include the Johnny-jump-ups, pictured on the left, plus the many pansies too.  All can take the frosts and freezes.  Maybe you remember their little faces peeking out from the snow and ice in the more northern states during the winter months.

Fall through spring is the time to enjoy many of the flowers we had to give up for summer.  The heat is just too much for these but now that the cooler weather has arrived let the plantings begin.  Some you are also sure to want to include are the phlox, dianthus, lobelia, calendula, petunias and snapdragons.  Flowers you might not think of that need the cold weather to produce their spring blooms include the hollyhocks, delphinium and foxgloves.  These later flowers go through the fall and winter months as slow growing seedlings.  All can withstand the cold weather but may need protection when heavy frosts and freezes are expected.

Do give your planting sites good preparation.  One suggestion is to not plant the same flowers in the same spot every year.  Soil borne organisms tend to build up in these sites and attack repeat plantings of the same flowers.  By changing the flowers each year you can sometimes defeat the fungus and nematode problems. 

Also add lots of organic matter to the soil.  One grower suggested you even change out the soil but this is not practical in home landscapes.  If you work in lots of peat moss, compost and manure you can get similar effects. 

Then plant your flowers and keep the soil moist but not wet.  All need moisture but it's usually a lot less during the cooler months.  Also provide a monthly feeding with a general garden fertilizer or use one of the slow release products that can feed your garden for months.

Don't delay any longer -- now is the time to add the cool season color