Plant Radar

Every February (not even spring yet, I know) without fail, I assume that plants have died over the winter and proceed to buy more to replace them. In a few weeks, the supposedly "dead" plants emerge, right next to the new plants that I have just bought. The result? My shade garden is so crowded with hostas that I'm not sure they will even have room to fully open their leaves. It's a slug's paradise. If only I had a plant radar that could tell me where each of the old plants are located and whether they are still alive.
Hopefully one of these years I will learn to give my wallet and paranoia a break and just be patient and wait. There's always next year!