Bare Roots

Herbaceous perennials are defined by the fact that they die back to an underground root system to overwinter.

These root systems bulk up over the years, and as they get bigger can be divided to produce new plants, which in turn can be grown on to increase their size. The dormant root systems can be dug up, transported and planted in containers to produce retail-ready plants. Bare roots give particularly good container production results for genera such as Agapanthus, Astilbe and Paeonia.

Production of Bare Roots

Starting material is planted in the ground in spring – between February and mid June. This allows the plant to enlarge and develop its root system to support further growth and flowering the following year.

When to choose Bare Roots for your production

Bare Roots are generally the best option in the following 3 situations

For varieties that can’t easily be propagated from seed, cuttings or tissue culture, for example Paeonia.
For varieties that need a minimum volume of root to grow and flower well, for example Agapanthus or Kniphofia.
When larger plants are needed, a large field-grown Bare Root can be planted straight into larger containers.

Benefits of growing from Bare Roots

Bare Roots are available for a wide range of varieties can be offered in different grades for various pot sizes. They can be lifted for delivery from October to early March, and for most varieties can be kept in cold storage without significant loss of quality.

Ordering timeline

To ensure sufficient availability of the varieties you want, we advise ordering before 21st June for sales the following year. Plants may be ordered after 21st June, but availability for certain varieties may be restricted.

Product format

Tissue Culture

This is where high tech meets horticulture. Plants are grown on a jelly-like substance called agar in sterile laboratory conditions.

Jumbo Plugs

As the name suggests, Jumbo Plugs are larger versions of regular Plugs. Available in 7cm or 9cm size cells, Jumbo Plugs are a convenient way to obtain young growing plants with better developed root systems.

Bare roots

Herbaceous perennials are defined by the fact that they die back to an underground root system to overwinter. These root systems bulk up over the years, and as they get bigger can be divided to produce new plants, which in turn can be grown on to increase their size.

Plugs

A Plug is a rooted young plant in a 3.5cm cell, supplied in trays of 104 cells. We offer well-established Plugs for all our URCs varieties plus many more.