Bare-root stock that has been available through winter will be canned in the retail nurseries if it is not sold prior to bloom and foliation. After that, it will not be available bare-root until next winter. If it is required before that, it will only be available in cans. Canned material is more expensive and experiences more difficulty becoming established in the garden than bare-root material. Newly canned material that is beginning to produce new roots is much more sensitive than material that has been in the can long enough to produce more substantial root systems. Consequently, if bare-root material is not available, the next best option is established canned material that will be available later in the season.

Species that are most commonly available bare-root include many of the fruit trees and their ‘fruitless’ or ‘flowering’ colleagues as well as many deciduous shade trees, deciduous magnolias, wisteria, roses, cane berries, grapes, strawberries, rhubarb and artichokes.

Winter pruning of deciduous fruit trees, roses, berries and grapes that are already established in the garden should also be performed prior to bloom or foliation. However, some of the ‘flowering’ trees, such as flowering cherry, plum, pear and crabapple, may be pruned after bloom but prior to foliation to maximize the profusion of bloom. Some garden enthusiasts prefer to prune these partially during bloom so that the flowering branches may be brought into the home. Wisteria should be pruned in winter, but some garden enthusiasts prefer to prune it after bloom. The main concern associated with late pruning is damage to newly developing vines that may occur as those pruned out are removed.

Perennials and bulbs that begin activity in spring should also be processed accordingly. Of course the spring blooming bulbs have been installed some time ago and many have already bloomed. However, the summer blooming bulbs and rhizomes may be installed throughout winter to extend the bloom cycle through the early summer. For example, if gladioli are installed in small groups at two week intervals, each group will finish bloom at about the time the next is beginning bloom. Summer blooming bulbs and ‘bulb like plants’ include gladioli, canna, calla, dahlia, anemone, ranunculi, lily (various) and tuberous begonia. Callas bloom so variably that they may all be installed at the same time.

Although division of spring blooming perennials should have been performed in autumn, those that bloom in late summer or winter may divided now. Winter blooming bergenia, for example, may be divided after bloom so that growth of new roots may begin as soon as possible in spring. Even those that bloom in mid-summer, such as agapanthi, Shasta daisy and daylily may be divided now if delayed bloom is not a concern. Rhubarb, artichokes and strawberries, mentioned earlier, should also be divided if crowded. Strawberries may require thinning if too many pups have rooted in the same area.