One way to get color in the house in the winter - use prisms. Most of mine catch the morning sun. The sun is too low to be broken up in the west window.
I've been reading gardening blogs this winter that list what's blooming in the garden. I can attest that nothing is in bloom in my yard and now that the snow is melting, it's all various shades of brown for a while. Indoors, a few colorful violets and a jewel orchid are blooming with a phalaenopsis on deck. I've been importing bouquets of color from my florist (Costco). The good news is dusk is lasting till 5:30ish.