Winter flowers for containers

Hi there
Can anyone recommend some long lasting flowers, flowering shrubs for containers for the winter months? Wanted to brighten up the front a bit.
Had a disaster with stalky pansies and no-show sweet williams over the summer and wanted to avoid further disappointment over the winter!
Thanks a lot

Cyclamin, snowdrop, crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, poinsettia.........all good for containers. Have a look here for more:- [broken link removed]

I find polyanthus (related to primroses) to last the longest / survive the winter weather the best - I find winter pansies need a fair bit of protection.