I've only ever heard of bareroot shrubs and trees, not perennials. Trees usually do better planted in the fall because of the high water requirements.

I have better luck with planting perennials in the spring. I find the fall clearance plants often don't get properly established before winter and die. Sometimes frost heaves them out if they are small.

For delphiniums I'd recommend spring.

I got a few bareroot perennials a couple years ago from Wayside I think. I planted mine in the spring and they took off that same year. I think either way they should be fine, but my tendency would be to sway towards spring to let them get established more.

Tracy

gottagarden- I've seen quite a lot of bareroot perennials this year. this is my first time buying them though. I have noticed that they are cheaper than buying potted plants because they're easier to ship. And i have heard that they often have more developed root systems so they establish more quickly. And since they are dormant when you plant, there is usually less or no transplant shock.

I ask about this because I want to order some bare root peonies this fall, and they ship, and say to plant in the fall. But, just to be safe, I think I will order the delphiniums for next spring.

thanks!
Jill