Q: I planted a Mexican heather the summer before last. After one growing season I cut it down and planted pansies around the remaining twigs. It returned this year and has grown to look like a low hedge. How can I save them again?

A: It’s not a common occurrence but Mexican heather has been known to occasionally survive winter cold in Atlanta. I don’t have a reliable formula to keep them alive until next year. If we have a couple of days of severe cold your plants will not come back next spring.