I would be hesitant to plant these in tha garden at this time of year, Kev. The aquilegia particularly hate root disturbance so, having been posted bare rooted, will be quite stressed. I would plant them in pots and keep them in an unheated greenhouse over the winter. Plant them in the garden next spring when thay have come ito growth.

thanks Bulba, they are about six inches long from root to tip, would that suggest a deep pot?

A pot deep enough to take the root without bending it, Kev.

thanks for the info Bulba, would the crown be just below the compost or level? [by the way they don't smell very pleasent]

Kev, send them back and ask for a refund. In my opinion, aquilegia should always be sold in a pot - not bare rooted.

I've never heard of bare-rooted columbine surviving, either, so sending them back would be my first choice also. If you want to try them anyway, I would put the crowns half exposed--roots just barely covered--just like strawberries.

I purchased bare root aqueligias in the spring. They took a while to put on any growth but they did eventually flower. I planted them directly into the soil but obviously the weather conditions were different than they are at the moment.

mmm, think i will give them a try,just as a challenge???? the company is bakker at spalding,i've had plants from them before and they have been half the size that was stated but not too bad a quality,they did send some black dahlias that turned out yellow,but did knock the price off the next order no question. overall i think mail order is a little bit of a lottery? it's nice to see what you're paying for, but that costs more in most cases [as in garden centres] by the way thank you bulba,tug and scottish for your advice, i do appreciate the wealth of knowledge and exprtise that this site offers. cheers kev.