Bare roots used to be a very popular way of buying perennials, but with container growing this has gone by the wayside in recent years, enabling nurseries to sell plants at all times of the year. However, there are many advantages to buying plants this way, but firstly what is a 'bare root' perennial?
These are plants that have been grown in open ground and dug up in the dormant season and the soil removed from the roots. Digging up in the dormant season means there is less of a shock to the plant and they will, once planted, continue to develop a good root system and then once spring comes will burst into life.
So what are the advantages? Well they are usually cheaper as you are not paying for the compost and pot. Then also because they have been grown in the open ground and not in a container, the roots will have developed strongly and freely and they will have a good substantial root ball and so develop into a sturdy plant in your garden. It is a more environmentally friendly option, again as they are not in a plastic pot and using compost. We cover our bare-root perennials in damp paper and wrap in waxed paper which keeps them moist for delivery.
This short video shows you exactly what to expect when you order bare root plants from us, and what to do with them on arrival.
There are some disadvantages however - you must deal with them as soon as they arrive in the post, as you don't want the roots to dry out. See the information below about how to plant them. There is a limited window for their sale, they are sold when they are dormant so the season is usually December to April.
So what should I do when they arrive? You can just plant them directly into the soil in your beds and borders, the advantage here is that they will get acclimatised in your soil environment without having to use a shop bought compost and so may establish quicker. However, the challenge here is that they will have to compete with other plants in your garden, you will have to keep them clear of weeds and protected from slugs and snails until they get established. Plus the conditions may not be right for direct planting, so you can pot them up and grow on for a few weeks until you get good signs of growth and then plant them out when they are more sturdy plants and better able to compete in the rough and tumble of your beds and borders.
Whichever option you choose, soak the roots in water an hour or two before planting. If potting up we would recommend potting them up in good peat-free compost, into the size of pot that befits the roots of the plants. Though you can trim the roots if needed as long as still a nice root ball. Plant to the correct depth, you can usually see on the bareroot where the crown of the plant is, which should sit just at the soil surface or just below. Planting too deep can cause the rootball to rot and planting too high may mean that the roots dry out. They are hardy so don't need to be inside or in a heated greenhouse. Just somewhere sheltered in your garden or a coldframe and protected from any really sharp frost. Then, once showing good signs of growth, they can be planted in the borders in late spring to early summer. They will grow well in the first year and may have modest flowers but will establish well and you will get even better flowers the following year and for many years to come!
We have a great selection available to buy bare root, see the link here.