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Novice Gardener's bare root questions

Hello GW - first post!

Now the proud owner of my first home and garden, last autumn I purchased a mixture of bare root perennials which I duly planted out on the understanding that it was the perfect time of year to do so.

Now well in to spring, some have really taken off and I'm looking forward to them flowering and becoming more established as the season goes on. However, some haven't even shown a shoot yet, including one or two (principally a couple of hostas) which had some shoots last year before dying back in the frosts, but haven't come back at all this year.

Have I done something wrong? Is more patience needed? Or should I write-off those that haven't taken to a lesson learned? 

Any advice or pointers gratefully received.

Thanks.

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    Some of my Hostas are in full leaf, but some are just popping through. Patience is a virtue all gardeners have to learn. Some of us have been waiting a lifetime for it to kick in though. 

    Welcome to the forum.

    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Hi Matt - it may be that some simply haven't made it. I'd expect Hostas to be showing some growth by now. However, small or young plants are vulnerable to other issues, and slugs and snails are a problem with new foliage on things like hostas so it could be that the new shoots have been munched.

    It may have been better to pot them up, overwintering them to plant out as bigger plants at this time of year. These small plants get lost in the ground over winter -  woody bare root shrubs can usually cope better. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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