As for bareroots the only ones I've had much success with in the spring were those from Gilbert Wild. Tried some Itohs from Vermont Wildflower Farm one spring, not a single one survived--no clue if it was me or the roots to blame. I certainly agree that it doesn't give any sort of headstart, they're typically on par with those planted the following fall from what I can tell, and they suffer much more than fall planted roots in the dry summer here. I've actually lost a few planted in the spring because I didn't get them on the drip lines and they dried up during that first summer, a root planted the previous fall probably would've been fine.
I'll probably always plant a peony or 2 in the spring, just because it's so darned NICE to be able to get out and dig in the ground and plant after the long winter! The peonies from GW are inexpensive and the ones they send in the spring seem to be just as fresh as those sent in the fall.
Did anyone else here do the Cubit's thing several years ago where they ordered from one of the big growers, can't remember which one, in the spring? Those were certainly stored in a cooler over the winter, arrived pretty dry and withered looking. Those took much longer to rebound than the ones from GW typically do. The varieties were not as common and the prices were great, I'd do it again in a heartbeat so don't think I'm complaining, just voicing what I thought about the roots. They were still a great deal for the price so if you get the opportunity go for it.
