Texas Gardening: How to tell if my lantana and mexican heather made it?, 0 by LarissaH

LarissaH wrote:
I asked this in perennials but it occurred to me there would be more people with direct experience with these plants here....

I have two favorite but borderline hardy perennials - mexican heather and lantana - in my garden. I left the dead foliage on all winter, they were well mulched. I just chopped off their tops last week and now I stare at bare stumps wondering how the heck I can tell if they are still alive.

I could buy replacements, but I'm sure if the originals return they will be bigger and better than new nursery stock.

Are there signs I can look for? How long should I wait until I give up, rip up, and plant new ones?

Pic of "popcorn" lantana which I've never been able to find in the plant files.