FAQ
When will my order ship?
Orders placed November through March will be shipped out according to your hardiness zone starting in March. We can ship at other times for special requests and weather permitting. Most perennial plants go through a period of winter dormancy, so unless otherwise specified in the spring we ship by hardiness zone. Please note: some perennials don’t break dormancy until early summer, and some have periods of summer dormancy. Depending on the variety you request, you may still receive dormant plants throughout the year. Please see our shipping info page for more information.
When will my card be charged?
Your card will be charged when you place your order. If there are any crop issues after that, we will contact you and issue a refund.
What size are your containers?
We ship plants in 3 different containers. Most of our plants are grown in either a 1-quart size pot which is 4 1/2" across the top and 5" tall. A few of our groundcovers are grown in smaller 3 ½ inch across the top and 4" tall. Container size is indicated on each product page.
What should I do with my perennials when they arrive?
Please unpack your perennials immediately. If the soil is dry, water your new plants thoroughly. Contact us as soon as possible if you have any issues with the way your plants arrive. We want to make sure you are completely satisfied with your shipment before you put your plants in the ground.
When should I plant my perennials?
Good question! You should plant your perennials as soon as you can. If you cannot plant them for a few days, make sure you keep them protected from temperature extremes. Plants with full root systems will dry out quickly in the heat of the summer, so check water regularly.
Do you guarantee your plants?
Yes, we guarantee your new plants will arrive in good condition. If you are unhappy with the appearance of the plants on arrival, please let us know immediately at info@rareroots.com so we can resolve the issue.
Why are the tops of my plants cut off?
Depending on the time of year you order, we may have to trim the foliage to fit plants securely into our boxes. This could delay flowering for the plant, but most perennials actually benefit from being cut back.
Where do you get your plant stock?
We have been growing perennials for over 40 years. Most of our plant stock we produce in our own greenhouses because we can't get those varieties of plants anymore and they are tried & true. We grow some from seed, we get cuttings in from Costa Rica and Israel and root them ourselves, we purchase 30% from other nurseries mostly on the East Coast, and finally we get some product from Holland that comes in bareroot.
Why doesn’t my plant have many roots?
Some plants by nature will not root to the bottom of a pot. These plants are healthy and will thrive once planted in your garden or container.
What do “Plant patented” and “Plant patent applied for” mean?
Patented plants are plants that have been bred by hybridizers to have specific and /or unique characteristics that can only be reproduced by propagating the plant vegetatively (e.g. by cuttings, cloning, root division). As such, they have been granted a Plant Patent by the US Patent Office, which means only the hybridizer or someone authorized by them may reproduce that plant for reselling. These plants carry an extra charge (patent fee) that is paid for each plant sold by the authorized propagator. For you, the customer, it means that the plant may cost a few cents more. You are allowed to propagate the patented plants you buy for your own use. However, you are not allowed to sell them to anyone else. Plant patents expire 20 years after their application date. Once a patent has expired patent fees are no longer required and you are free to propagate these for any use, including resale.
Plant patent applied for plants are plants for which an application for a patent has been submitted, but not been given an official patent number. For the customer, these are treated just the same as a patented plant, meaning a patent fee may be included in the price you pay and you may not sell plants you propagate; however you may reproduce them for your own use.