No other cool season bedding plant beats pansies in popularity. Avoid early planting. Recommended planting date late October and into November. Numerous flower colors and patterns are available. Recommended cultivars include Bingo, Majestic Giant, Crystal Bowl, Crown, and Maxim.
Violas are a close relative of pansies.
A large mass is needed in a landscape bed for violas to give a good color display. Dianthus have become one of the most reliable cool season bedding plants for Louisiana. Planted in full sun flower color will be good through April and even May most years. The recommended dianthus cultivar for Louisiana is Telstar, a Louisiana Select plant in 1996. Try snapdragons for cool season color also.