Most hardy perennials will survive difficult conditions in the ground rather better than in a pot ... but they do need lots of water in a drought so that they can grow and die back naturally thus replenishing energy stores in the root/crown, instead of being dried off in the heat after flowering, as happened to a lot of plants last year.
Yes, Dove, this is probably what happened to my plants. Most were newly bought as we only moved to this house two years ago. I sure am glad this summer is starting cooler and wetter. After last year heat wave I will never complain about rain again. 😄
Slugs will often attack perennials as they emerge, so you don't see them. This happened with my coreopsis moonbeam. I had some in pots and thought they weren't growing but evidence of slugs gave me a clue that they must have been after something. Once I had dealt with the slugs, the shoots emerged. Of course this would be much more difficult if they were in the ground.
Is it possible that slugs have taken your new shoots?
None of my coreopsis have come back this year, which is a bit odd. I have dug down into the bed and there is no sign of them at all.
Meanwhile, my coreopsis is growing like a weed and I've had to dig up half of it and dispose of it.
OP, I wonder if the Echinaceas are getting enough water? Mine droop and get petulant in their new spot where it drains more. Wish I be er moved them to be honest.
Perennials are usually reliable so I'm thinking that they're either getting eaten early on like @Fire said. Or some moisture problem, too much or too little.
Surely you can't draw such drastic conclusions (aka "rant") after only 2 years in your garden!
Oh, Papi Jo, it’s the third summer now, and over the last two years I bought sooo many bloody perennials and only so few survived 🙄 I did deserve a little rant, didn’t I? 😄
I shall be even more vigilant with the slugs and snails now and try to water more. Somehow I’m still not feeling too optimistic 🙄
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Of course this would be much more difficult if they were in the ground.
OP, I wonder if the Echinaceas are getting enough water? Mine droop and get petulant in their new spot where it drains more. Wish I be er moved them to be honest.
Perennials are usually reliable so I'm thinking that they're either getting eaten early on like @Fire said. Or some moisture problem, too much or too little.
I shall be even more vigilant with the slugs and snails now and try to water more. Somehow I’m still not feeling too optimistic 🙄