The bare facts about bare-root plants

Sunset, Fall-Winter, 1996

At first glance there's nothing terribly inspiring about a nursery full of lifeless-looking bare-root plants. But don't let their scraggly appearance fool you. Harbored in the dormant stock is a veritable bounty of fruits, flowers, and vegetables. It can all be yours in January and February, the height of bare-root planting season along the Pacific Coast.

BARE-ROOT ADVANTAGES

Bare-root plants have numerous advantages over plants sold in containers.

PRICE. Bare-root plants typically cost 10 to 40 percent less than comparable container-grown plants, although we've saved as much as 70 percent in a few cases. The savings can add up if you are buying a lot of the same plants (if you're putting in a hedge, for example).

VARIETY. Unsurpassed selection is another good reason to buy bare-root. Since the plants take up less space than those in containers, nurseries that specialize in bare-root plants often have extensive seasonal inventories. And if you can't find what you're looking for, you can always order it.

VIABILITY. Bare-root plants often establish themselves more quickly than container plants for several reasons. First, roots in a container can be potbound. Second, though less common, roots in a container can be underdeveloped. Last, bare roots don't get "spoiled" by container soil, so bare-root plants don't have to adapt to any differences between container soil and your garden's.

SHOPPING SMARTS

KNOW YOUR SOURCE. Your favorite nursery for annual color or container plants may not have the best selection of bare-root plants. Twenty minutes spent making a few phone calls will save you hours of running around to find out who has what. A good nursery will give you plenty of information on the varieties it sells, as well as instructions on how to plant and care for your purchase.

KNOW THE SEASON. Shop early because a plant's dormant period does not last long. Don't be enticed by deep discounts on bare-root plants in early spring; if plants start to leaf out, they won't do as well as dormant ones purchased during the peak of bare-root season.

KNOW YOUR CLIMATE. Some nurseries and chain stores may not offer varieties ideally suited to the climate they are sold in. To ensure that you get the best varieties for your area, shop at nurseries that specialize in regional plants.

KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. It's best to plant bare-root immediately after purchase, so you should have a planting plan in mind - and the planting holes dug - before you bring anything home.

When you purchase plants, make sure the nursery staff wraps the roots in plastic bags to keep them moist in transit, and plant as soon as you get home. If you can't plant immediately, lay the plants on their sides and make sure the roots are covered with moist soil.

A WORD ABOUT PACKAGING

At the nursery, you'll notice that bare-root plants such as berries, grapes, and roses are sold in packages, while others will be truly "bare," with loose roots heeled into bins of moist sand or wood shavings, as shown above left. The roots of packaged plants are trimmed or forced to fit into the package. The packaging itself usually hides the roots, so you won't be able to judge their health. And some packaged plants actually cost more than their truly bare-root brethren. Still, freshly packaged plants, purchased early in the season before they dry out on the shelves, should do well once they're planted.

A GUIDE TO BARE-ROOT PLANTS

Landscape plants

ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. A good selection of flowering trees, such as apricot, cherry, crabapple, peach, pear, and plum, is available. Shade trees such as ash, birch, hawthorn, and maple are less available, especially in warm regions of California. Select ornamental trees as you would fruit trees (see page 74).

The selection of shrubs is limited, although varieties of flowering quince, lilac, rose of Sharon, and wisteria are increasing. Look for tree forms of shrubs, such as flowering pomegranate, lilac, and wisteria. Shrubs are usually sold by height.

ROSES. In colder parts of the West, nurseries sell mostly potted roses. Some California nurseries, on the other hand, offer hundreds of rose varieties bare-root. To provide the best possible selection, most nurseries sell both packaged and bin-stored bare-root plants. On all roses, look for three or more strong, well-spaced canes. Healthy canes are green and hard.

PERENNIALS. There is generally no advantage to buying perennials bare-root. However, occasionally you'll find root divisions of perennials such as coreopsis and baby's breath.

Berries, fruits, and nuts

To ensure that a particular variety is right for your needs and climate, check the hours of chilling required for fruit production, the season of fruit maturity (early, mid, or late), whether or not a plant is self-fruitful (doesn't need other varieties to be pollinated), and its ultimate size.

CANE BERRIES. Several varieties of raspberries and blackberries (including thornless types) are offered, as are currants and gooseberries suitable for cold climates. Root systems should appear full and balanced. The diameter of the cane should be pencil-size or larger. Some types, such as red raspberries, produce fruit the first year; all should bear well by the second year.