What to plant in January in NC?

[QChickieMama]

I have a 10'x5' flower/herb bed that I'd like to freshen up for some guests who are coming next week. Right now it's a tangle of daisies that would look nice in the spring/summer if I leave them, mint, oregano, parsley, and weeds. Most of the herbs look dead but I know if I leave them, they'll pop back in spring.

If I were to dig it all up & start over, what could I put in there besides pansies & kale? I have a friend coming to help me dig & plant, so I must seize the opportunity & make this bed look great.

If it were your tiny garden in front of your guest apartment, what would you put in it?

 

[hennible]

Romanesca cauliflower purple and yellow cauliflower that was already half grown, Rainbow or Northern light Swiss chard, Russian kale and black kale, dwarf fruit tree suitable for my climate, raspberry bushes or blue berry bushes... Just a decorative food forest with colourful cold weather ( no so much the tree and bushes ) veggies.. Colourful lettuce... Pansies...
Sorry I'm feeling garden deprived...

 

[johnrt]

I am a big fan of lemon balm, it smells great and late freezes will not kill it if you much it good enough. Plant some around the border to keep insects away. Pole beans could be plates soon too. They need cold to germinate.