Test Garden Tip: Winecup develops a thick taproot so it can be hard to transplant. Plant it where you want it to remain. Light: Full sun Size: To 1 foot tall and 3 feet wide Zones: 4-8 Buy It: Winecup Flower Seeds (from $3, Etsy) Test Garden Tip: Space plants about 12 inches apart and, in a few years, you’ll have a thick, easy-care alternative to lawn grass. Light: Full sun Size: To 6 inches tall and 2 feet wide Zones: 3-9 Test Garden Tip: For best effect, plant ‘Angelina’ in large masses or drifts where its color will take center stage. Light: Full sun Size: To 6 inches tall and 2 feet wide Zones: 5-8 Test Garden Tip: Prune back rock rose after it flowers to maintain its shape. Light: Full sun Size: 2-3 feet tall and 8 feet wide Zones: 8-10 Test Garden Tip: In the early spring, before new growth begins, cut back any foliage that remains from the previous season. Light: Part to full shade Size: To 18 inches tall and 2 feet wide Zones: 4-8 Test Garden Tip: Place your mower on a high setting and mow periwinkle after it blooms to keep it thick and lush. Light: Full sun to part shade Size: To 6 inches tall and 18 inches wide Zones: 4-9 Buy It: Periwinkle ($16, Etsy) Test Garden Tip: Prune plants back once or twice a year to encourage new, more compact growth. Light: Full sun Size: To 6 inches tall and 3 feet wide Zones: 8-10 Test Garden Tip: In the Northern part of its range, protect young plants by lightly covering them with pine boughs during the winter. Light: Full sun Size: To 4 inches tall and 1 foot wide Zones: 4-8 Test Garden Tip: Mulch young plants to preserve soil moisture and encourage stronger root systems. Light: Full sun to full shade Size: To 2 feet tall and 8 feet wide Zones: 3-7 Buy It: Tennessee Ostrich Fern ($8, Breck’s) Test Garden Tip: Plant in groups as an easy-care groundcover. Light: Full to part sun Size: To 1 foot tall and 9 inches wide Zones: 4-8 Buy It: Elijah Blue Fescue Grass ($30, The Home Depot) Test Garden Tip: Ice plant does best in poor soil. Avoid feeding this plant. Light: Full sun Size: To 6 inches tall and 2 feet wide Zones: 6-10 Test Garden Tip: Dig and divide plants in the early spring if you want to move ‘Voodoo’ to other locations. Light: Full sun Size: To 6 inches tall and 36 inches wide Zones: 3-8 Buy It: ‘Voodoo’ Sedum ($11, Etsy) Test Garden Tip: After the plants have bloomed, shear off the faded flowers and stems (a couple inches off the top). New foliage will grow, making plants more attractive. Light: Full sun to part shade Size: To 8 inches tall and 1 foot wide Zones: 3-10 Test Garden Tip: Use snow-in-summer in rock walls, as erosion control on slopes, and in containers that can take neglect. Light: Full sun Size: To 1 foot tall and wide Zones: 3-10 Buy It: Snow-in-Summer Seeds ($2, Etsy) Test Garden Tip: Add a layer of mulch around the base of the plants to help conserve soil moisture and discourage weeds. Light: Full sun to part shade Size: To 1 foot tall and 36 inches wide Zones: 5-8 Buy It: Mahonia Rooted Shrub Plant ($10, Etsy)
