Specialty Gardening: Cold Hardy Container Plants? , 1 by tapla

tapla wrote:
Oops - I should have been more clear. You need to choose between herbaceous and woody (kind of like flowers or shrubs), and upright or trailing. ;o)

Mugo pine is very hardy & easy

Junipers are the same, but tend to bronze in winter (turn a little brownish)

Dwarf Hinoki cypress is very nice, and slow growing

There are lots & lots of dwarf conifers in many genera (plural of genus) that would make really nice container plants for several years bewfore they needed repotting if you use the right soil.

Small fruit trees (dwarf sargentii crabs are especially nice) are good if you are ok with no foliage for a few months, Jap. maple - all have nice winter form.

Privet - takes well to pruning.

Zone 8 is a little out of my neighborhood, so I'm sure you'll get more suggestions. ;o)

My pool today, through the LR window: