Go bare root for forbs. Check your plant for adequate roots. Gently tap your plant out of the pot- can you see roots throughout the soil? If yes, your plant is ready to bare-root plant. Tap the soil around the roots off, or rinse the soil away so the roots are exposed.
Dig the hole deep enough. When you are planting forbs, the hole can be narrow but should be deep enough to allow the roots to extend down to their full length. Make sure the place where the plant’s crown meets the roots is level with the soil level. Planting too deep encourages stem rot, and planting too high exposes roots above the soil and allows them to dry out.
Water in. Put water in the bottom of the hole before planting, then water again once you’ve filled the native soil in around the roots to eliminate air pockets. Make sure that there is good contact between roots and soil.
Give it TLC while it is establishing. Shield your newbie from sun if planting during the hot months. Water daily for the first few days and then once/week for the first several weeks if the soil feels dry. Then back off the frequency of watering.
Mulch your new plants to conserve moisture and protect soil. Make sure you keep mulch 1” away from perennial stems and 4” away from shrub and tree trunks.