west coast winter container ideas??

Because I am new to west coast gardening, I am asking for some ideas.I want to have some nice cheery containers on my deck and front entrance for the winter. Last two years I used pansies, that I had also put bulbs into the containers for the spring. I used tulips and daffodils, I would like to do something different this year. I still want to put bulbs in for the spring with plants on top for fall, but some different combos. Does any one have some striking combinations they use?I have lot's of container of all sizes I can use. I am open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance
Cindy

This isn't really new new; but a favourite of mine. You can usually get skimmia rubella in 4 or 5" containers at this time of year. I like to combine it with a heather (Myretoun Ruby for harmony, a gold foliage one for contrast) a grass -- oops,better divide this

ok harmonious combo -- skimmia Rubella, erica Myretoun Ruby, pink o blue pansies, helictotrichon (grass) or variegated pampas as a tall accent -- if the site is really sheltered, one of the wonderful phormiums in pink or pinky bronze is great too. and sedum Dragon's blood.

a contrasting combo -- skimmia Rubella, calluna Sir John Charrington or Flamingo, ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens (black MOndo) that brilliant gold pansy and carex buchananii.

I love doing containers but I try to include as much stuff in them that I can later move into the garden as possible.

Hortensia , thank you so much. You gave me some really great ideas, I will use for sure. My mind just seemed to be fixated on pansies, but I knew I wanted more of the textures and contrast that your combos give.
Cindy