Oh, what I wouldn't give for room to grow fields upon fields of wine cups!

I love the cerise-magenta colored flowers and how they scramble along the ground, weaving their way through larger perennials or forming a blanket across the landscape.

Although the large, cup-shaped five-petaled flowers are by far the most attractive feature, the coarse-textured, deeply lobed leaves are comely in their own right.

A United States native that is becoming more and more popular for its showiness and hardiness, wine cups are easily grown in dry to medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun. Its deep taproot helps it cope with drought-stricken areas, although it makes transplanting at a later date more difficult.

Since it only reaches six inches in height, it's perfect when allowed to meander through light-colored, sun-loving plants like Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' or Heliopsis helianthoides 'Loraine Sunshine'.

Pot size: 4.5"sq x 5.0" (1004 ml, or ~one quart).