Bare root perennials and woody plants are just that! Plants with bare roots.
They are dug from the field where they were grown, washed and then stored in the perfect climate over the winter months. This process has many benefits. Soil is heavy and messy to ship. Removing the soil makes it possible to bring in these hard-to-find plants from Holland where they are grown by the very folks that breed them.
Get the most from your bare root perennials with pro planting and care tips from Farmer Bailey horticulturalist Bobby Bowen.
Upon Arrival
As soon as your bare root plants arrive, store them in a cooler if you’re not planting them immediately. Ideally, they should be planted right away, but if a delay is unavoidable, keeping them cool helps maintain dormancy.
These plants have been carefully kept dormant during their journey from the Netherlands, and they’re ready to wake up and start growing. However, you don’t want them breaking dormancy before they’re in the ground - that leads to stressed plants and poor establishment.
Planting Bare Root Woody Plants
Bare root shrubs can either be planted directly in the ground or potted up temporarily. If your planting site isn’t ready and it will be more than a few days, pot them up and transplant them into the field later in summer or fall.
Choose a pot between 2-4 quarts (0.5-1 gallon), depending on how long you intend to keep them in containers.
When planting, ensure the shrub is set at the same depth it was previously growing - this should be easy to identify by looking at the plant. Roots go down, shoots go up. Simple as that.
Avoid planting too deeply, as this can lead to stunted growth. The biggest risk at this stage is drying out, so minimize root exposure to air, plant into moist soil, and water heavily after transplanting.
Soaking the roots for 30-60 minutes before planting can help ensure they are well-hydrated. Maintain high soil moisture levels through mid-summer, and be prepared to irrigate during dry periods. This first growing season is critical for establishment. Refer to the individual product descriptions on our website for recommended planting distances.
Potting Up Bare Root Plants
If you are initially potting up your plants, use a high-quality potting mix with some native soil mixed in. Be sure to include nutrients through well-aged compost or pelleted fertilizer. While the plants won’t need immediate feeding, they’ll require nutrients to sustain growth throughout the season if left in containers for several months.
For best results, consider setting up automatic irrigation. Even with the best intentions, summer gets busy, and watering can easily be forgotten. A single line of drip irrigation over your row of pots ensures consistent moisture when your focus is elsewhere.
A Special note on Ilex (Winterberry Holly)
Winterberry holly is dioecious, meaning male and female plants are separate. We ship one male plant for every ten females, and male plants are clearly marked. For best pollination and berry production, plant the male in the middle of the row or cluster of female plants.
Bare Root Perennials
Use the 'Notify Me' button on sold-out Bare Roots to receive email and text alerts when your most-wanted variety is restocked.
