Can you plant bare root perennials directly into a border?Updated 20 days ago

Bare root perennials should not be planted directly into borders as they can struggle to settle into some soil types in their dormant bare root form, there is an increased risk of pest damage, disturbance from wildlife, competition from neighbouring plants and losing sight of the young plant among weeds which typically will spring up around them during spring. These factors will contribute to an increased risk of failure. Bare root perennials should be potted up individually and grown on for a few months until they are more established before transferring into borders. There are some exceptions, including larger, more robust roots such as peonies, lupins, eryngium and echinops, which are typically too large to pot up into a 15-20cm pots and grow on first. These large or long roots are usually successful when planted directly into a clear space in a border with good quality, free-draining and weed-free soil.