As the old saying goes:"Don't judge a book
by its cover!" When it comes to gardening, good things come to those who wait. In short, all that's needed is a little faith in nature and to remember that our plants have been grown, cared for and stored properly to ensure your success.
Be patient when starting with dormant plants, and your patience will be rewarded. Like the fabled ugly duckling that grew to become a beautiful swan, incredible plants will grow from your humble bulbs and bareroots.
Understand what to expect when your package arrives. Keep in mind that discolored or twisted dormant plants are not dead or in ill health. Plants, like people, come in many shapes and sizes, and physical constraints do not limit their potential.
Overlook their looks
If you are used to buying potted plants, the arrival of your first bulb or bareroot perennial can be somewhat...disconcerting. Instead of receiving a starter plant with foliage and possibly even some blooms, you will instead unpack what looks like a clump of dried plant material. But there's no reason to panic. Many healthy dormant plants will look this way, such as the iris rhizomes below.
Each of these iris rhizomes is healthy
Dormant plants, such as these iris rhizomes, will arrive in different stages of dormancy depending on when they are shipped to you. Don't be worried, for example, if you see dry foliage, such as that shown here. All these irises will perform equally well.