I love your caladium bed, Nova. Winter annuals for shade . . . That's a bit difficult. Monica Brandies recommends flowering Kales/cabbages for full shade, and it it is a cool season plant. I don't know if those are your style.

I grow nasturtiums in partial shade in the cooler months. These do have to be protected from freezes.

Alyssum does pretty well in partial shade in cooler months. I've found it starts easy from seed too.

And then you have johnny jump ups and pansies. It may be too shady for some types.

Bill

Ooooh, Johnny Jump Ups (viola tricolor)...one of my all time faves. But it would take a lot of them to fill a whole bed, maybe. I suppose it gets too cold where you are for impatience, Nova? Those bloom well into the winter months for me, if we don't get a hard freeze. I always grow nasturtiums in the sun, though. Never tried 'em in shade. (LOVE those leaves in sandwiches and salads!) Sweet alyssum would hold up through winter, I think. It would look great with violas, too.

Hope you get more suggestions here! Keep us posted on what you choose.

Marcia

I like the idea of the flowering Kales and the impatience. I usually don't get a hard freeze until January or February so maybe a combo of the two??? Hummmm - off to do some research!

nova