Got some bare root perennials and don't know what to do with them!

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on here probably since last summer but here I am, asking for help again!

I've got a collection of bare root perennials and nerine bulbs from Thompson and Morgan as they were cheap. I'm not familiar with any of them and I'm wondering what to do with them at this moment as we are firmly in frost season (I'm in South Yorkshire).

The leaflet with them says 'bare rooted plants can be planted directly into the garden or potted into a pot and grown cool until ready for planting.' What does grown cool mean? Surely it's too cold in the garden for planting now?

I've got:

Echninacea (Cone flower)
Liatris
Lupin
Eryngium
Kniphofia

Nerine bulbs

Thanks for any help for this clueless amateur gardener!

 

Not sure on nerines, sorry, never had them (on my list of "wants").

I'm assuming (grown cool) you could put them in a pot and stick them in somewhere cool with light eg porch or shed with window? or possibly stick in a pot outside and use a pop up cloche/coldframe.. I'm no bright spark though!

 

I'd be inclined to pot them up and keep in a sheltered position if you dont have a cold greenhouse.
If they are left outside be prepared to put them under cover should we get a proper arctic blow as being in pots they will be more susceptible to really hard frost.

 

I would agree with Pete; pot them up and leave them in a cold greenhouse. If you don't have a cold greenhouse, then leave them somewhere sheltered like a porch or garage until spring.

 

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your replies. Sorry I'm a bit late with mine.

I haven't got a greenhouse, porch or garage. I've got an old outhouse but it doesn't have a window so is dark. The best I can do for a cool area I think is indoors but near the back door, in a small extension area that tends to be cold. It is next the bathroom though, so might end up getting a bit of steam heading towards it. It's also a very small area for so many plants.

So, maybe outside in a sheltered spot is best. I'm not sure I've got one of those either! What would I cover them with? I'm a complete novice! I presume it's not an option to keep them as they are (just in a cardboard box) until the Spring? I don't see how they are alive without soil and watering but they are...and they're sprouting!

 

There lies the problem, they shouldn't be sprouting yet, they have been kept too warm.

I consider a sheltered place to be against the house wall if possible under a bit of shelter from the house eves.

 

Great thank you! I can do that!

 

Just an update on this. At least some of the plants are growing slowly in pots that I have kept under a clear plastic box. We've just had more frosts after a period of warmth so I'm keeping them under the box a little longer. One plant I just stuck straight in the border and it's growing better than any of the others. The problem is, I didn't label them and don't know what any of them are now!

I think the nerine bulbs have rotted away. They're not showing any signs of growing and the compost has moss on so I think it's got too damp.

 

Nerine's have a habit of doing that, I put mine straight in the ground & 2 out of 3 have made it so far. They like free draining soil so you are probably right. If you post pictures of the others foliage we can probably help