Are these plants struggling or just slowcoaches?

Nollie

I have potted on, grown and planted out a load of mailorder perennials at the same time that I haven’t planted before, nor in most cases ever seen in the flesh before. The heleniums, echinaceas and tall agastache (black adder) are flowering already.

However, the achillea safran hasn’t got any flower shoots yet and the agastache aurantica tango, although beginning to flower, is looking pale and straggly - see pics below. They are planted in improved clay soil with lots of grit. Are these two usually such late developers? Do I need to feed them or just acquire some patience?!

Obelixx

Patience.  I'd be tempted to cut off the flowers of that agastache so it puts energy into roots and shoots first.

Lyn

I would cut the flowers off the Agastache, they will produce seeds and then the energy will go into those instead of the plants.
the one I grew from seeds last year are still small plants, they do best the following year once established. 

Dovefromabove

With bought perennials I find that it's 'first year roots, second year shoots, third year ... stand well back ' 

Lyn

That’s it Dove, you have such a way with words 😀😀

Dovefromabove

 @Lyn  

Nollie

You do indeed Dove! Thanks for the advice I will duly cut off the agastache flowers and find some patience, I’m sure there is some around somewhere. But I keep mislaying it.

parvinkaurp

My corn plant doing so but too many in the pot so decided to replant them done everything right, this morning they are looking sorry them safe. I am feeling so upset grew them from seed, what is the best time to move them. 

Nick74

I grew achillea (summer berries) from seed last year and they didn't get much bigger than those in your picture. However, this year, they're around 4 feet tall and have just started to flower - they'll put on a good show this year!

I've had the same experience as @Dovefromabove - they start showing their best in year 2.

Bijdezee

Dovefromabove said:

With bought perennials I find that it's 'first year roots, second year shoots, third year ... stand well back ' 

That's exactly what i have found Dove. They will be much better next year 

Nollie

Good to know, thanks Nick. These were bought as 9cm pots in February and seemed to have a good root system when I potted them on, I was surprised that other stuff bought at the same time and theoretically later flowering were well ahead of them, but I guess each plant has its own rhythm and it will all get there in the end.