Immediate actions
- Unpack & Inspect: Open box, remove packing immediately.
- Rehydrate (If Needed): Soak roots only in water for 3–6 hours max. if dry.
- Temporary Storage: If delayed, heel in or store roots moist in cool, dark place. Do not dry out.
Blossomdale winter field guide
Dormant Trees & Bushes
Everything you need to know before ordering—and everything your plants need after they arrive.
From our field to your door
Your dormant order, step by step
Dormancy is the safest way to ship trees and bushes in winter. They may look like leafless “sticks” on arrival—that is expected, healthy, and temporary.
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Place your preorder
Reserve dormant adult trees and bushes by November 1. Your payment secures the plants for the winter fulfillment season.
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We prepare each plant
Our nursery team selects, inspects, hydrates, and carefully packs your dormant plants with their roots protected for transit.
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February fulfillment
Qualifying preorders ship during the following February. We may briefly adjust dispatch for dangerous weather along the route.
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Track, unpack, care
Tracking is emailed when your label is created. Bring the box indoors promptly, inspect your plants, and follow the guide below.
Please plan for February delivery.
Orders ship in the February fulfillment window even if the ground is frozen where you live. Keep the included care guide handy for safe temporary storage.
Simple, upfront pricing
Dormant shipping charges
Larger trees require special cartons and handling. The order summary at checkout will always show your final shipping charge before you pay.
| What is in your order | Shipping | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dormant adult tree | $30 flat rate | Adult trees are excluded from the regular free-shipping threshold. |
| Any 2 fruit trees | Free | The fruit-tree shipping offer is applied automatically to qualifying carts. |
| Dormant bushes & eligible items | Free over $99 | Orders below the threshold are calculated at checkout for the delivery address. |
| Mixed or oversized order | Shown at checkout | Final charges reflect carton size, item eligibility, destination, and active offers. |
Shipping offers apply to eligible U.S. orders and may not be combined with every promotion. The checkout total is the final charge for your specific order.
Keep this guide close
Arrival, planting & aftercare
Choose the guide that matches your order. These instructions mirror the care checklist included in your package.
Bare-root fruit tree: planting & aftercare checklist
Open the box promptly. A leafless tree is expected while the plant is dormant.
Planting day
- Root Pruning: Remove broken/damaged roots with sharp pruners.
- Dig the Hole: 3x wider than root spread, only as deep as roots are long.
- Position Tree: Root flare must be slightly ABOVE soil grade. Do not plant too deep.
- Backfill & Water: Fill with original soil, water deeply to settle.
Ongoing (Year 1)
- Initial Pruning: Prune canopy 1/3 to 1/2 to balance roots.
- Mulch: Apply 2–3 inch layer, keeping 3 inches away from trunk (“donut” shape).
- Watering: 1–2 times per week in dry periods. Check soil—moist, not soggy.
- Fertilizing: DO NOT FERTILIZE in first growing season. Wait for spring.
- Protection: Use guard or wire mesh against sunscald and rodents.
Key reminder
The first year is crucial for root establishment. Consistent moisture and delayed fertilization are the keys to success!
Your Dormant Plants Have Arrived!
Don’t panic if your plants look like “sticks” without leaves! They are currently dormant (asleep) for the winter. This is the safest way to ship them. Follow these steps to ensure they wake up healthy and ready to grow in the spring.
Immediate actions (Do this first!)
- Inspect Immediately: Open your package right away. Check for any damage or mold and ensure the roots are still moist.
- Hydrate the Roots: Your plants are thirsty! Soak the roots in a bucket of room-temperature water for 1–2 hours. This helps “wake them up” slightly before planting or storage.
Can you plant right now?
- Option A: The Ground is Workable (Not Frozen)
- Plant Immediately: If you can dig a hole, get them in the ground now.
- Soil & Depth: Plant in well-drained soil. Ensure the “crown” (where roots meet the stem) is at or slightly below the soil surface.
- Initial Watering: Water thoroughly right after planting, even if it is cold or damp outside.
- Option B: The Ground is Frozen Solid
- Store Them: You must keep the plants dormant until the ground thaws.
- Location: Find a cool, dark, frost-free place (like an unheated garage or cellar). Ideally, the temperature should be 30–35°F.
- Keep Roots Moist: Wrap the roots in damp paper towels or keep them covered in moist sawdust. Do not let them dry out.
- Alternative: You can also pot them in a container temporarily until spring.
Essential winter protection
- If you planted your bushes in the ground, they need a winter coat to survive the cold.
- Mulch Heavily (Crucial Step): Apply 3–5 inches of mulch (pine needles, straw, or wood chips) around the base. This protects the roots from dangerous freezing and thawing cycles.
- Extra Protection: In extremely cold areas, use chicken wire to hold the mulch in place around the plant for better insulation.
Ongoing maintenance
- Monitor Moisture: Even in winter, roots need water. Ensure the soil remains moist (but not waterlogged) throughout the dormant season.
Do not prune
Put the shears away! Avoid pruning newly planted dormant bushes. Wait until they are established (usually the fall of their second year).
Good to know
Dormant order questions
Why does my plant look like a stick?
Leafless stems are normal for a dormant tree or bush. Dormancy lets plants travel with less stress and conserve energy for healthy spring growth.
Can you wait to ship until my ground thaws?
No. Dormant orders ship during the February fulfillment window. If your ground is frozen, use the temporary storage directions in the berry bush and vine guide above.
When will I receive tracking?
We email tracking as soon as the shipping label is generated. Watch the shipment closely and bring the package indoors promptly after delivery.
What if my plant arrives damaged?
Photograph the plant and outer packaging immediately and contact us within 72 hours of delivery with your order number. Our live-arrival team will review the condition and help with recovery or next steps.
Grow your own orchard
Start with customer-favorite fruit trees selected for years of harvests at home.
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