Potting on your 5cm (2 inches) pots should be done upon receipt, but if this is not immediately possible, stand the plants in a cool, well-lit and well-ventilated place. To prevent your plants becoming lopsided, turn them round 90° every other day. Water well and allow to drain before potting. When handling the plants hold them by the root ball. Pot into 9cm (3½ inch) pots of good quality multi-purpose compost.
Plants Supplied as Bareroot Plants
These plants are field grown in a nursery and lifted during the plant's dormant period. During autumn and early spring, bareroot plants show little or no top growth. You can be assured, however, that your plants will have a strong root system, and planting at this time of year is ideal and will give the plants time to become established in your garden. You will see new growth appear later in spring once ground and weather conditions improve. Bare rooted plants must be protected to ensure that the root does not dry out at any time.
Bareroots can also be planted individually into 9cm (3½ inch) pots or a pot large enough to hold the root using moist, soil-free compost.
Place in a frost-free cold frame, conservatory or on a cool, well-lit windowsill. The intention is to produce hardy, compact and sturdy well-rooted plants that will cope well with all conditions, so they need to be grown as coolly as possible (but frost-free) and not forced. When the plants are well rooted into the compost, they can be planted into the garden. Please be careful not to over water. Plants are better grown on the dry side rather than being too wet.
Planting into the Garden
Before planting out, any pot grown plants will benefit from being hardened off. Place your plants outdoors 7-10 days prior to planting out. If a frost is forecast, bring back indoors for protection. Place outside the following day and repeat as necessary. Always water well prior to planting into the garden.
When planting it is important to prepare the soil well as your plant will grow for many years in the same site. Adding a generous handful of a well-balanced fertiliser, and if necessary organic matter, to give the soil a fine 'crumbly' texture. Rake the soil to a fine tilth and plant your well-watered plants following the planting distance guide for the variety you have ordered. Make sure you do not plant too deeply, but it is essential that the plants are well firmed in. Bareroot plants should usually be planted about an inch below the surface. Gently water in and then water as necessary until the next good rain or during dry periods.
Perennial varieties are best grown in groups to give maximum colour impact. Taller varieties benefit from support to protect from wind damage. The best support methods are growing through frames or rings, but a cane pushed firmly into the soil next to the plant and loosely tied will generally suffice. You can also use twigs that will blend in naturally with the garden setting.
General Aftercare
Removing faded flowers will generally encourage a second flush of colour in many plants. Each autumn, cut plants back to ground level after flowering. Watch for pests and diseases, which are normally rare in perennial plants, but can be kept under control by routine spraying. Slugs can be the biggest problem so a routine application of slug pellets in early spring should keep them at bay. You should also note that some perennials such as Paeonies and Hellebores will not flower until well established.
