Buying hardy perennials now

[WellTidy]

If I buy lupins, agapanthus and foxgloves now (crocus are selling them in 9cm pots), would I be able to plant them out straightaway please? I don’t have a greenhouse and have very few window sills (sash windows). I need to buy quite a lot so don’t want to buy too early if I might plant them and lose them, or keep them in pots outside but then have to bring them in every night.

In my experience it really depends how big and strong looking the actual plants are when they arrive. From Crocus they should be quite good, but sometimes I have received plants that are so weedy I have wanted to grow them on a bit before planting them out.

They will probably want to be hardened off for a week or so as well, so outside during the day, but inside at night. You could just cover them up at night with fleece, or those big plastic storage boxes are good for this too.

Other than that they should be good to go!

Thank you, this is good to know. They’re all from Crocus. I will go ahead and order and then harden off before planting. Can I start the week or so of hardening off as soon as I receive them?

Yes, certainly. They are hardy but you want to avoid a frost if you can. Hopefully we are soon going to be out of frost season!

Great, thank you. I’m off to pay for the contents of my wheelbarrow!