Bare root perennials?

[SpecduckularlyQuackers]

I know certain plants grow very well from bare roots and have always planted bare root roses, for example, but I would like to know what other people's experience has been of growing other perennials supplied as bare roots? For example, I've seen advertised bare root geums, geraniums, astilbe, even clematis and hydrangea. I appreciate it will take longer to grow them on than buying then as potted plants but I don't mind that as long as the expected success rate is reasonable. Has anyone given this a go?

I believe they actually grow quicker as get straight into their final soil.

So whilst they would need to put roots down. By the end of a year or two they could overtake a pot easily in right conditions.

A lot of the big designers are using these now for large projects to reduce plastics waste.

Personally haven’t tried it yet but think the success would be down to the nursery quality, how fast the delivery (ie. Courier/ direct delivery as opposed mail order) and how quickly you get them in the ground.

Where are you looking at them?

That's really interesting! I think I've mainly seen them sold by Farmer Gracy, who I've only ever used for bulbs before.

I've bought and had success with a lot of bare root perennials. As long as you follow the planting instructions they'll be fine. If the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged when you plant them they'll do great. And it's usually more economical which is a real bonus.

Thanks that's really good to know. The ones I've seen suggest growing them on in pots for a while before planting out so frozen/waterlogged ground shouldn't be an issue if I follow that.

Grew several hundred bare roots last year at work- peony, salvia, agapanthus, rhubarb, delphinium. From a trade stockist though
At home, used farmer gracy for plenty, also hayloft and sarah Raven. Didn't have great results with bare roots from J Parkers so I'd not bother with them

Brilliant, that gives me much more confidence, thank you! Geums here I come

I have many bare rooted plants and my tip would to soak them them overnight in a bucket full of water for 24 hours before planting.

I agree. The bare root things I have bought previously have always done well.

Thanks everyone, I'm going to give it a go! I've picked out some geums (mai tai, which I've been hankering after for ages, and apricot pearl), geraniums (rozanne, of course, for underplanting a rose) and astilbe (milk and honey, to try to brighten the bit of the garden I refer to as the swamp).