In article , rbel wrote:

We have not grown pansies before and would be grateful for advice (I
cannot think of anything else that is likely to flower between now and
early spring).

We are looking for something that will be suitable for container
growing in tall 35 cms x 35 cms planters, preferably not mixed colours
but that will reliably flower throughout the autumn, winter and early
spring.

They will be located in a relatively sheltered area with sun for half
the day and rarely subject to frosts.

You should be OK, but you can also plant pretty well any of the
early flowering bulbs. In such conditions, many of them will
flower during the winter.

For the future, consider Cyclamen coum, but that MUST be close to
dry during the winter and in free-draining material (a sandy soil
or John Innes compost is fine). It's a lovely ground cover for
places where few other plants will survive (e.g. dense rain shadow
all year).


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.