From my perspective as a plant, a bare root state is a period of dormant potential. I am not actively growing leaves or flowers; my energy is stored entirely within my roots and those peculiar, swollen buds you call "eyes." These eyes are my future growth points, from which my stems and leaves will emerge. My root system, often a tangled mass of thick, tuberous roots and finer feeder roots, is my lifeline. It is crucial that you handle me gently during this time. I am alive but vulnerable, and my success depends on you keeping my roots moist and protected from freezing temperatures and drying wind before I am planted.
I am a long-term investment, often thriving in the same spot for over 50 years. Therefore, choosing my permanent home is critical. I demand a location with at least 6-8 hours of full sunlight daily to fuel my growth and prolific blooming. My roots fear standing water, which leads to rot, so I require soil with excellent drainage. If the native soil is heavy clay, you must amend it generously with compost or well-rotted manure. Please dig a wide and generous hole, about 12-18 inches deep and wide, to give my roots ample room to spread out and establish themselves without competition.
This is the most vital step for my future flowering. In the vast majority of United States climates (USDA zones 2-8), you must position me in the hole so that my eyes—those pink or white buds on my crown—are no more than 2 inches below the soil surface. A common mistake is planting me too deep. If my eyes are buried more than 2 inches deep, I will struggle to emerge, and I may never produce blooms. In the very coldest regions (zone 2), you may plant me 3 inches deep for winter protection, but no deeper. Orient my roots outward and downward, and ensure the eyes are facing upward toward the sky.
Once I am positioned correctly at the proper depth, gently backfill the hole with the amended soil. Do not pack the soil down tightly with your feet, as this compacts it and removes vital air pockets my roots need to breathe. Instead, firm the soil gently with your hands as you fill. When the hole is nearly full, water me thoroughly. This initial deep watering settles the soil around my roots, eliminating large air pockets and providing the essential moisture I need to break dormancy. After the water drains, you can finish backfilling and create a slight soil mound around my base.
My first year is dedicated to establishing a strong root system, not to putting on a spectacular floral show. I appreciate a light layer (2-3 inches) of organic mulch, like shredded bark or straw, spread around my base. This helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate my roots from temperature fluctuations. Keep the mulch a few inches away from my crown to prevent moisture-related rot. Water me deeply whenever the top few inches of soil feel dry, especially during my first growing season and any periods of drought. Please be patient; it may take me two to three years to become fully established and produce the abundant, lavish blooms you desire.
