Bulbs and Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants and bulbs ship dormant, without a pot or soil. That makes them lighter and cheaper to ship, and they settle in faster than potted plants when you plant them at the right time. You'll find bare root fruit trees, berries, roses, hostas and perennials here, along with bulbs, tubers and rhizomes like caladium, dahlia and canna. Plant them soon after they arrive. Dormant roots don't like to wait.

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Bare root fruit trees Berry plants Caladium Hosta Dahlia Peony

How to choose

• Bare root trees and shrubs go in from late winter to early spring, while they're still dormant.
• Spring-planted bulbs and tubers (dahlia, caladium, canna, gladiolus) go out after your last frost, once soil's above about 60°F.
• Fall-planted bulbs (tulip, daffodil, crocus) need winter cold to bloom. Plant them 4 to 6 weeks before the ground freezes.
• Check your zone. Tender tubers like caladium and dahlia must be dug up for winter below about zone 8.

How to plant a bare root plant

1. Unpack it as soon as it arrives and keep the roots moist. Don't let them dry out.
2. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for 2 to 6 hours before planting. Don't soak overnight.
3. Dig a hole wider than the root spread and just as deep as the roots, not deeper.
4. Build a small mound in the center, drape the roots over it and set the crown or graft union at or slightly above soil level.
5. Backfill with the native soil, firm it gently and water well to settle out air pockets.
6. Mulch 2 to 3 inches deep, keeping mulch off the stem, and water weekly until new growth appears.

FAQ

My bare root plant looks like a dead stick. Is that normal?
Yes. It's dormant. Scratch the bark lightly. Green underneath means it's alive. Leaves appear 2 to 6 weeks after planting.

What if I can't plant right away?
Keep it cool and the roots damp, wrapped in moist packing for up to a few days. For longer, "heel it in" by laying it in a shallow trench and covering the roots with soil.

Which way up does a bulb go?
Pointed end up for true bulbs. For tubers like dahlia, lay the tuber flat with the old stem or eye facing up.

Can I plant bulbs in pots?
Yes. Caladium, dahlia and canna do well in containers, and potted tulips can be chilled in a garage over winter.

Related collections

Live Plants · Fruit Trees and Berry Plants · Seeds · Mycorrhizae and Soil Biology