11 Bare-Root Perennials to Plant in January

Many perennials go dormant during winter and are sold without soil or a container. These bare-rooted plants are usually cheaper and establish themselves quickly in their new home. You can plant them during their dormant season, typically from November to March. Nursery workers grow them in soil for their first one to two years, harvest them in the fall, and sell them. 

By selling plants bare-root, the nursery can easily inspect them for diseases. You, the buyer, can also get a good look at the health of the roots and the plant’s overall condition. When you buy plants growing in containers, it’s sometimes hard to notice any health issues before bringing them home. 

Hydrangea

	botanical name Hydrangea spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Variety dependent
	hardiness zones 3-9

Hydrangeas come in a variety of jewel colors, including radiant blues, pastel pinks, purples, and reds. Framing these magnificent blooms are large, green leaves. They’re long bloomers that transform your garden into a colorful wonderland. 

You can find them sold as bare-root perennials in many nurseries nationwide. They’re incredibly hardy and easy to plant. Follow the planting instructions for your plants and watch these flowers develop from January to summer. 

Grow them in well-draining soil. Add plenty of organic material, including peat, compost, and dead leaves. They love afternoon shade, so plant them in areas that get partial sun. 

Garden Phlox

	botanical name Phlox paniculata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Garden phloxes produce bushy pillows of multi-colored flowers and deep green leaves. There are around 70 species and over 1,000 varieties of phlox, including the beloved garden phloxes. Choose from several popular to lesser-known varieties, including ‘Orchid Yellow’ and ‘Blue Paradise’. 

These brightly colored perennials grow great as bare-rooted plants. You can plant many varieties starting in January if you live in a mild climate where all danger of frost has passed. Once they establish themselves in pots or in your garden, they’ll live for many years. 

Plant them in areas with full sun to partial shade. They need moist, well-draining soil with added compost for extra nutrients. They thrive in zones 4-8 and regions with lower humidity. 

Hardy Geranium

	botanical name Geranium maculatum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-18”
	hardiness zones 3-11

It’s hard not to love hardy geraniums. They’re easy to grow and maintain and provide brilliantly colored flowering ground cover for cool-climate gardens. You’ll have hundreds of varieties to choose from, each with their unique colors and flower shapes. 

You’ll find these herbaceous perennials as bare-rooted perennials in nurseries nationwide. You can plant many varieties in January, with winter protection in colder zones and expect vivid blooms by early summer. These incredible flowers should last until the late summer or early fall, giving your garden long-lasting color. 

Grow these hardy plants in full sun to partial shade. They thrive in well-draining soil that’s slightly acidic. Once you plant them, give them plenty of water. Afterward, they’ll only need minimal watering. 

Peony

	botanical name Paeonia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 24-36”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Flowering peonies produce big, beautiful blooms that will steal the show. They take a long time to establish, but when they do, you’ll get a pop of color few other plants can match. The only downside is they don’t last for long. However, there are some tricks you can do to extend their spring blooms. 

You can plant most bare-rooted peony varieties in January, depending on your climate, though they are best planted in fall. There are many varieties, each with intense and wide-ranging colors and sizes. Once established, they can live for a very long time—we’re talking a century! 

Plant these long-living flowers in an area with tons of light and a little shade during the afternoon when the sun is intense. They thrive in soil that’s nutrient-rich and well-draining. Give them a good soaking once you plant them, but after they mature, their extensive tap roots will find plenty of groundwater. 

Clematis

	botanical name Clematis spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 30’
	hardiness zones 3-9

If you’re looking for a colorful and easy-to-grow flowering vine, it’s hard to match clematis flowers. These adorable vines crawl along your garden or up trellises and bloom through summer. If you’re a newbie gardener, you’ll love the hands-off nature of these flowers. 

Many of these beautiful flowering vines are native to Japan and China, but there are species from all over the world. There are hundreds of species, each with unique flower shapes and color patterns. Bare root clematis should be planted while they’re still dormant, up until early spring.

You can plant these amazing vines in January as bare-rooted perennials. They can grow in almost any soil as long as it’s well-draining. However, they prefer neutral to slightly acidic loamy soils full of organic material. Give them plenty of light and water and these vines will produce tons of brightly colored, origami-like flowers. 

Black Elder

	botanical name Sambucus nigra
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-20’
	hardiness zones 4-7

Elderberries have a long history of cultivation. Their uses have ranged from protection against witches to medicine. After thousands of years, they’re still a common and adored garden staple. 

Black elders are one of the most dramatic elderberries you can plant. They have dark foliage and pink and white flowers. In the late summer and fall, you’ll enjoy clusters of dark fruit that attract birds to your garden. 

In many climates, you can plant them in January. They prefer full sun and plenty of water. They’ll grow in just about any soil but prefer well-draining loamy soil. 

Iris

	botanical name Iris spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”- 3’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Irises come in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. There are around 300 species and thousands of cultivars to choose from. There are almost limitless color combinations, each with a unique fragrance. Some “bearded” varieties have three large petals, while the “beardless” varieties are more delicate. 

Most nurseries around the country sell iris flowers as bare-rooted perennials. You can get them started in late January and enjoy gorgeous blooms by late spring or early summer. 

Iris flowers need at least six hours of sunlight a day to thrive. Most varieties prefer slightly acidic soil with a mixture of compost. Give them consistent watering without waterlogging them. 

Daylilies 

	botanical name Hemerocallis spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-4’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Daylilies come in a striking contrast of colors and sizes. Each species and cultivar has horn-like flowers and soft grassy foliage. They are easy to grow and care for and will thrive in some of the coldest gardens. They come from Asia and Europe and now include over 80,000 cultivars. 

You can plant many varieties in January. These herbaceous perennials will grow quickly and produce sturdy flowering stems, though not quite as well as fall-planted daylilies. Although most blooms only last for a day, you can find multi-blooming varieties that will put on a show several times a season. 

Grow these magnetic flowers in full sun to partial shade. Water them regularly after planting and let up once they’re established. Plant them in moist, well-draining soil and enjoy their bright flowers in summer. 

Sea Holly 

	botanical name Eryngium planum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-4’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Sea hollies are wonderful drought-tolerant perennials that produce bright blue flowers that seem like they’re from another world. They’re incredibly easy to care for and last throughout the summer. They thrive in a variety of climates, from high deserts to cold coastlines.

You can plant many species of sea hollies in January if all danger of frost has passed. They will establish themselves quickly. Those in colder zones can plant their sea holly in nursery pots to be planted out after the last frost. Once established, you’ll enjoy these exotic perennials for many seasons. Plant them with other colorful flowers or use them to attract pollinators to your vegetable garden. 

These sun-loving plants need at least eight hours of direct rays to thrive. Once they’re mature, their long taproot reaches deep into the ground for water. You won’t have to water them unless there’s a long drought. Plant them in well-draining, sandy soil for the best results. 

Toad Lily 

	botanical name Tricyrtis spp.
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Toad lilies bloom until late fall in many regions, making them one of your garden’s last bloomers. They have speckled and colorful flowers that resemble orchids and delicate green foliage. 

They’re still relatively new to nurseries in the US. They grow magnificently with other plants as shade cover. If you live in an area with tall trees, these plants will thrive in the understory. 

Plant them in shady areas, near streambeds, or on slopes after the last frost. They love rich and humusy soils with slight acidity. Add mulch and wood chips to the top beds. This will increase the soil’s organic material and encourage radiant blooms. 

Russian Sage

	botanical name Salvia yangii
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-5’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Russian sage plants are cold-hardy and strikingly beautiful. They have lavender-looking flowers and silvery-gray leaves that add elegance to your garden. Their fragrant flowers attract tons of pollinators, making them the perfect companion for vegetables and fruit trees. 

Plant these bare-root perennials in January as long as the ground is not frozen, and enjoy blooms in summer. You can plant them in cold regions or hot, arid regions too. Once established, you can dry the flowers to make a fragrant potpourri.