Mixed reviews, but a brutal hot and dry summer!
"I planted the Large Butterfly Paradise Pre-Planned Cottage Garden in late spring, 2026 when we were already in severe drought (Aurora, CO zone 6a). All things considered most of the plants have done really well except for the PowWow White Echinacea and the Goldstrum Rudbekia. I have struggled all summer to keep enough water on these baby plants for them to survive. The echinacea has not grown above 4 or 5 inches high. Some rudbekia shows promise, maybe next year, some remains small and hard to keep wet enough. All of the new plants were mulched to help retain moisture during the continuous HOT and DRY weather ... most have done fine, but these are still struggling to recover as the weather cools. I think my echinacea are not going to survive ... that's odd because I have purple echinacea in the same bed doing fine. We'll see who enjoys the promises of Super El Nino. If I could give a 4 1/2 star review I would ... the PowWow Whites might do great in a different year ... not impressed with their survival skills in 2026. (BTW, I got a rudbekia replacement plant that I planted in a shadier bed on the other side of my house ... it's tall and thriving. I know these are supposed to enjoy full sun but here in my high desert yard, they seem to be happier on the north side, partial sun."
