I arrive to you dormant, my roots bare and my foliage absent. Do not be alarmed by my appearance; this is a state of deep rest, a strategic pause in my growth cycle. I have been carefully harvested while dormant to minimize shock. My roots may look dry and woody, perhaps even a little lifeless, but within me lies the stored energy and the promise of the coming season. Your first critical task is to rehydrate me. Please soak my roots in a bucket of lukewarm water for at least an hour, or up to overnight. This gentle reawakening is essential for me to absorb moisture and prepare my cells for the work of establishing myself in my new home.
I am a creature of the woodland edge, so my preferences are specific. I crave a location with dappled shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. Harsh, direct sunlight will scorch my delicate leaves and flowers. More importantly, I demand excellent drainage. My roots are prone to rot if left sitting in soggy, waterlogged soil. However, I also dislike completely drying out. The perfect bed for me is rich in organic matter. Please amend the native soil with generous amounts of compost or well-rotted leaf mold. This not only provides me with nutrients but also creates a soil structure that retains moisture while allowing excess water to drain away—a perfect balance for my needs.
Now, prepare a hole that is both wide and deep enough to accommodate my root system without crowding or bending my roots excessively. A good rule is to make the hole twice as wide as my root spread. Create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole. Place me on top of this mound, spreading my roots outward and downward in a natural fashion. The most crucial detail is planting depth. The crown of my plant—the point where the roots meet the future stems—must be level with the soil surface. Burying my crown too deeply invites rot and disease, while planting it too high will expose my sensitive growing points. Once I am positioned correctly, backfill the hole with the amended soil, firming it gently around my roots to eliminate large air pockets.
Immediately after planting, give me a thorough, deep watering. This settles the soil around my roots and ensures I make good contact with my new environment. Continue to keep the soil consistently moist, but not saturated, throughout my first growing season as I establish my root system. A layer of mulch is immensely beneficial to me. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of compost, shredded bark, or leaf mold around my base, but ensure it is not piled against my crown. This mulch will help regulate soil temperature, retain crucial moisture, and suppress weeds that would compete with me for resources. With this care, I will reward you with beautiful, enduring blooms for many seasons to come.
