Choose cool-weather plants for spring containers

Urns by the front door and window boxes don't have to sit empty, waiting for the warmer temperatures demanded by geraniums, salvias and sweet potato vines. There are plenty of cool-weather loving plants that can provide color in your containers in early spring.

Annual Flowers

Synonymous with spring, pansies are available in just about any color. Some have blotches (often called faces), some have whiskers, and some are clear, but all are bright, bold and beautiful. The flowers of violas may not be as large as their pansy cousins, but they make up for their smaller stature with oodles of sweet blooms.

When an upright plant form is preferred, choose stock or snapdragons. Stock boasts spires of clove-scented flowers in shades of white, peach and yellow to violet, rose and purple. Snapdragons sport tall, sturdy spikes of snapdragons in just about every color except blue.

Low growing and semi-trailing, alyssum is available in white, lavender and purple to color the edges of containers. Its fragrance is enchanting.

Perennials

Lenten roses are perfect for spring containers. Their large, nodding flowers hold their color a long time and then fade politely. An added benefit: Once its job is done in spring containers, plant them in a permanent spot in the shade garden.

Wanda primrose is a true perennial primrose suited for April container gardens. Deep purple flowers with yellow centers bloom over bright green leaves. Site these in a consistently moist soil in part to full shade when relieved of container duty.

Coral bells contribute large, colorful foliage to highlight bright spring flowers. If containers are in a spot protected from afternoon sun, coral bells can remain to perform with a new cast of summer characters. Plant them in the ground in early September, so they have plenty of time to establish before cold weather sets in.

Vegetables

Cool-season vegetables are perfect partners to spring flowers. Red Bor flowering kale is an ideal candidate for height in containers where its ruffled, purple-red foliage is just as pretty as the flowers it rises above. If rich blue-green foliage is preferred, choose Dinosaur kale.

Lettuce is a must have in spring container gardens. Both red and lime green varieties contribute luscious, leafy texture. Swiss chard is another winner. Bright lights sports large, bright green leaves on stiff stems of red, pink or yellow.

And don't be afraid to harvest leaves for dinner — that's another advantage of using vegetables in spring containers!

Branches

Just as jewelry enhances an outfit, branches put the finishing touches on spring containers. Colorful twigs contribute strong lines and may even develop roots in potting soil. Red and yellow twig dogwood offer splashes of color; the twisty stems of curly willow add a touch of whimsy; and pussy willow branches — whether their furry catkins are left natural or tinted — lend a quintessential touch of spring.

If rooted twigs are discovered once the container garden is disassembled when spring gives way to summer, pot them up and grow them in a protected location for later placement in the shrub border.

Planting containers and window boxes are a wonderful way to start gardening in spring. Choose plants that scoff at early spring's cool temperatures, and they will be bright and colorful until summer flowers are ready to steal the show.

• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist and garden center manager at The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield. Call (630) 293-1040, ext. 2, or visit planterspalette.com.