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Bare roots perennials - can I put them straight in the border?
Hello folks, any help with this would be great.
I've never bought bare roots before, but Lidl was so cheap at a pound a throw that I couldn't resist an impulse buying frenzy to fill a border that I extended purely by accident yesterday.
Anyway now I'm completely stuck as to what to do next, and google isn't being particularly helpful.
So at the moment I have put out Echinacea (magnus), Echinops Ritro, Astilbe and Liatris corms, all after being left in soak for a good time. But potted up another lot of Echinacea (white swan) this evening as I started to worry. 
I am ready to rush out and lift the lot up if need be.
I also 2 hardy geranium (himalayense). Put straight out?
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Those dry bits in boxes? I'd rehydrate and pot up til they start growing.
In the sticks near Peterborough
LoLoL. Yes those dry bits in boxes. Thanks nut, is best to dig up those that I've planted out? they have started growing already.
I'd say they are fine just planted into the borders. They are dormant, and the spring rains will give them all the hydration they need to get going, at the right time and temperature. The only reason to pot up might be if the ground is unworkable, it's a really wet area and you're worried about dormant rot, or you've got slug/pest issues. Otherwise just pop them in the ground and let nature do it's work. If you're like me, you've got plenty of other plants that need to be mollycoddled, like veg seedlings, etc.
Thanks Blue Onion, the ground is good and well prepared, lots of organic matter dug in with a good sprinkling of FBB. I do have slugs (Grrrr!) but will place some pellets around in the morning.
I'd agree with Verdun here, shop bought bare root stuff needs careful attention and tlc.
Perhaps do an experiment? Pot up some, leave others in the ground? As you haven't invested too much money, would it do any harm?
I'm a casual/lazy gardener. No dig, organic(ish), direct sow when I can get away with it, etc. I'm happy to help along those plants that need it, but those that can get on with it I leave to their own devices. Maybe they aren't as huge and as amazing the first year, but they'll catch up by the second.
The ones I have got from aldi I am planning on treating more as root cuttings than full size bare roots. I have got quite clay ish soil and would worry about them rotting before they were full of life (Plus I enjoy seeing them starting to put on growth up close and personal in a cold greenhouse!)
I think the soil is still too cold to make a cosy home for bare roots. Soak them to rehydrate then plant in pots and keep in a sheltered, sunny spot till growth starts. Plant out in May when they should be sturdy enough to cope in the borders and make sure they are well watered in any dry spells.
Caral, yes I bought a load of these too, very excited ! Planted out in rows, going from 100 cm 80 cm, down to 40 cm and am now very concerned - so respect to all opinions on here but going with Verdun and obelixx and digging them back out and popping into individual pots till May !! I keep watching them but they're not doing anything hehe.... Watched kettle and all that ! Thanks for asking this question Caral