What To Do When Your Plants Arrive

Potted Plants
Dormant Wood Plants
Dormant Perennial Roots
Bulbs

A Growing Guide containing the instructions below is included with every order. The Growing Guide also includes additional information regarding specific plant care and attributes.

Open your shipping carton as quickly as possible and check each item against the enclosed packing slip to make sure you’ve received everything you ordered. (If it is necessary to delay shipment of certain items or if multiple shipments are being made, you’ll find that information on the packing slip.)

Plants don’t like to be kept waiting, so they will need your immediate attention. Immediate transplanting to their new home is always the best idea. However, if inclement weather requires a delay in planting, we recommend the following:

Potted Plants…The best spot to keep potted perennials for a short time before planting is outdoors in a sheltered but bright location. If cold temperatures are forecast, make sure your plants are protected from freezing. Water the plants whenever the soil begins to dry on top. Move to the garden just as soon as possible.

Dormant Wood Plants…These leafless, soilless plants will keep for a few days in their plastic bags in a cool and dark location (34° to 40°F is recommended) with their roots covered with damp newspaper. Give the roots and newspapers a light misting as necessary to keep them damp. Protect them from direct sunlight and winds.

Dormant Perennial Roots…Keep Peony, Iris, Oriental Poppy, etc. roots in their original bags at about 40° F (the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator is ideal) for no longer than three weeks. Quick planting, however, will give the best results. Don’t worry if the roots appear to be dead when they arrive. They’re just dormant and will sprout into life after planting.

Bulbs…Open bags to allow air to circulate and store bulbs in a cool, well-ventilated location if planting must be delayed. Protect them from any danger of freezing.

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