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decoenthusiaste Bougainvilla might work, especially if you can get a miniature one.

apple_pie_order Geraniums. Floribunda roses with draping ferns or needlepoint ivy. The urns could be swapped with the big ball finials near the gate to make them more prominent and easier to care for. I think they could do with a good scrub if you don't admire the antique look.

It'd be fun to see the rest of the house and garden and read about your plans.

reginacpa Geraniums might be perfect and love the idea of draping ferns. I love bougenvillea but zone 8 is a little north for it to make it through the winter

Dirt Digger This time of year pansies would be the way to go...there is a trailing pansy that would be really pretty...white would really pop!

reginacpa Thanks Dirt Digger! Might look good with pansies....

mmilos I might not do any permanent planting until spring. Some cut evergreen branches with white lights would look festive.

reginacpa We are definitely cleaning up the brick walls, ivy and pots....but we don't close until Dec 14th. I just want to be ready to plant! I also need things I don't have to switch out each season. I'm a CPA and can't get in my garden between Feb and Aprl 15th and I spend just about every weekend between May 1st and the end of Sept in my herb/flower garden at the lake....I need LOW/NO maintenance. These are some great ideas and I appreciate the help.

victorianbungalowranch Moss roses come up every year and need practically no watering, Might be good in yellow mixed in with something taller.

reginacpa Moss roses in yellow might actually be nice....the house is yellow.