Bare root woody plants are just that! Plants with bare roots. They are dug from the field where they were grown, are 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.

Soil also can harbor insects and pathogens, so removing plants from soil helps satisfy import requirements of the USDA and ensures you are receiving healthy disease free plant material. The plants are harvested in a dormant state and held that way until they are shipped. They won't even know they have changed countries when they wake up in your garden or field in the springtime. 

Our woody plants are grown in the field in Holland for 1 year before shipping to you. They are pinched a couple of times during the growing season resulting in a stocky well branched plant that will have a good structure on arrival.

These plants will establish quickly in 2025 and you may be able to start harvesting as soon as 2026 on the faster maturing crops. Height will vary, but in general they will be around 12-16" in height.

All of these plants will ship to you in March at a time approprate for planting. They will be just coming out of dormancy. You may see swelling buds or a bit of new growth, but in general they will be in a dormant state and may look a little dead. Don't worry! They will wake up.

You may see a bit of mold on the roots but this is completely normal. Simply wash it off and plant immediately. As a precaution you can treat the roots with a fungicide or biofungicide, but this isn't necessary. Small broken branches are also of little concern. Just prune off any broken bits and the plant will recover quickly. The root system is the important part at this stage in the game.

If you can't plant immediately on arrival store your bare roots in the cooler. Keep them damp and wrapped in plastic as dry roots are the kiss of death for this type of product. The cold will delay their growth. Keep them from freezing. You can either pot them into 1 gallon pots or plant them directly into your prepared soil. Just make sure to plant them within a few days of arrival. They are waking up and are ready to grow, and they will decline quickly if they are not given soil, water and sunshine.

If they arrive before you can plant outside or before it is reliably above freezing outdoors, pot them, and put them back into your cooler until spring advances. They will start to grow new roots immediately. When you see new buds on the trees and shrubs outdoors it is time to bring them out.

To be honest I am being overly cautious in my recommendations, but these these plants aren't cheap. They are a long term investment that will pay for themselves many times over if you get them through this brief period of transition. Read the directions and success sure to follow.

It is a carefully orchestrated process to get plants quickly from their storage conditions to you so please do your part and be ready to plant them on arrival. There is no reason that these plants will experience any stress if you prepare for their arrival.

Click here to access our comprehensive growing guides containing everything you need to know about this crop.

 

Common Name	Ninebark
Genus	Physocarpus
Species	P. opulifolius
Family	Rosaceae
Life Cycle	Deciduous Shrub
Format	Bare Roots
Care	All of these plants will ship to you just coming out of dormancy. You may see swelling buds or a bit of new growth, but in general they will be in a dormant state and may look a little dead. Don't worry! They will wake up. You may see a bit of mold on the roots but this is completely normal. Simply wash it off and plant immediately. As a precaution you can treat the roots with a fungicide or biofungicide, but this isn't necessary. Small broken branches are also of little concern. Just prune off any broken bits and the plant will recover quickly. The root system is the important part at this stage in the game. If you can't plant immediately on arrival store your bare roots in the cooler. The cold will delay their growth. Keep them from freezing. You can either pot them into 1 gallon pots or plant them directly into your prepared soil. Just make sure to plant them within a few days of arrival. They are waking up and are ready to grow, and they will decline quickly if they are not given soil, water and sunshine. This is a carefully orchestrated process to get plants quickly from their storage conditions to you so please do your part and be ready to plant them on arrival. There is no reason that these plants will experience any stress if you prepare for their arrival.
Netting / Staking	Not necessary
Temperature Range	Hardy to zone 4
Spacing	3' x 3'
Soil Preference	All soil types
Light	Full sun is preferred but light shade is tolerated.
Pruning	Mature height of 5-6 feet, prune to shape as desired. Flowers on one year old wood.
When to Plant	Fall
Harvesting	Brilliant red fruit comes in July-August but the foliage can be harvested anytime. If cutting stems with fruit, expect 0 stems in year 1, 3 stems in year 2, 8 stems in year 3, 12 stems in year 4 and 15 stems in year 5+. Foliage can be cut every year, but if you cut all of the stems off a bush one year it will not have any flowers or fruit the following season.
Post Harvest Care	Cut stems should immediately be placed into cool water. Expect a vase life of up to two weeks.
Diseases / Insects	No significant pests or disease.
Bailey's Notes	Ninebark is a standout foliage plant for flower farmers, offering multi-season interest and exceptional versatility in floral design. Its striking, lobed leaves come in an array of colors, bringing rich texture and contrast to bouquets and arrangements. In addition to its decorative foliage, ninebark’s strong, woody stems provide structure and durability, ensuring a long vase life. Growers love ninebark for its fast growth, low maintenance, and adaptability to various climates. As an added bonus, it produces delicate spring blooms and decorative seed heads, extending its usefulness throughout the season. With its bold color palette, ease of care, and enduring value in the cut flower market, ninebark is an essential crop for growers looking to elevate their offerings.
Resources	Kolster Physocarpus Cultivation