Question
Tom

I live outside Chicago, close to Wisconsin so it gets pretty cold. If I trim off the tops of my coleous and planted then indoors would they last till next summer?  This works pretty well with my wandering jew. Thank you for your advice.

Susan
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Followup To
Question -
I only have a big deck- I love to garden in containers.  I have 6-8 window boxes over my rails which I plant with trailing, middle, and tall annuals.

I have many big, small containers throughout which I have planted with various combinations.  I love coleous because they are bugless, carefree.  I hate petunias and morning glories because of the japanese beetles. I plant alot of Sweet potato vines, wandering jew- which I winter over.

Do you have any suggestions on perennials that might winter over in a pot.  This hobby is getting pretty expensive.

Thank you- Susan
Answer -
Susan,
I need for you to tell me what part of the country you are in.  If you're in the South this is going to be easy.  The farther north and colder the harder it's going to be because some perennials are hardy in the ground but not in pots.  Please post a follow up and let me know your part of the country and I'll be glad to give you some ideas.
I hope this helps.
Tom

Answer
Hi Susan,
Take some coleus cuttings in with you in the fall and they will easily root in water and growth in pots in a sunny window and you'll have some for next season.  Okay, cold weather perennials for pots.  Columbines, hen and chicks, sedums, asters, hostas, spiderwort, coreopsis, Iceland poppies,  certain herbs like thyme, sage, St. John's wort, any of the mints.  Usually, if you will go to a big nursery they will have a whole section or can direct you to plants that do best in your area.  I hope this helps.
Tom