Winter bedding-not pansies/primroses

What else is there for winter bedding? I had both these last year and the pansies were a disaster-never seen so many little flies! Primroses were better although they too succumbed in the end.
Fancy something different this year :D

 

I've never noticed the little flies with pansies but I do have trouble with them going all long and leggy. Violas seem to do better for me, I think you can get winter ones, and they're one of my favourites :D
Also I think you can use cyclamen?

 

Myosotis (forget-me-not) is another you can use, although it my seed itself ever after. There are some pink ones available as well as various shades of blue.

 

I've never had much luck with so called winter flowering plants, most are really just early spring flowerers unless you live in a really mild location.
Early bulbs, tulips, crocus and daffs along with the iris, (not sure of the name) are reliable.