Bare root perennials

I've just bought a couple of centaurias (Amethyst in Snow). They have arrived as bare roots with few signs of life. The instructions are to soak the roots for a couple of hours and then plant out in the garden. However, I have had mixed results using this method in the past. Do you think it would be better to pot my roots up for a bit and (hopefully) grow the plants on before planting them in the border?

 

Ah, I've tried these in the past, with rather poor results...followed the instructions but potted them up first then planted out when they were larger and stronger, but they were very slow and as I recall, the Delphiniums never showed any signs of life.

They will eventually 'beef up' but it might not be this year. Shame, as bare root perennials seem to be on sale more and more frequently now.

Good luck though with them. You might have more luck. But yes, I would pot them on first.

 

Thanks, Aaron. I'll give it a go. In the past I have had my suspicions that unscrupulous suppliers just go out and fish any old bit of dead root off the compost heap and then stick it in a bag with a nice picture on it, knowing that in the end most of us won't bother to complain when nothing grows!!

 

Thank you, Wiseoldowl.

 

Theres nothing wrong with the principle of buying bare root perennial, it should be an easy and cheap way to grow and to deliver them. However many suppliers in an attempt to maximize profits split plants again into tiny pieces. The other most important thing is that they should be lifted and sold in the dormant period, it's far to late now - yours may have been sitting round in a cold store for weeks to extend their season. I wouldn't use that supplier again

 

Thank you, Lovage. In the past I've found centaurias to be quite tough, obliging plants so fingers crossed these might just spring to life ... although I have to say they're looking none too promising at the moment.!

 

Indestructible, I'd say. I have a massive clump, only planted last year that bloomed on and off all summer and is now threatening to engulf it's neighbours.

And it self seeds!