I just got a Dicentra spectablis 'Alba' last year. I also have several of the pink ones too, but they are growing in separate beds. They are all growing in mostly shade, with a well-drained soil. The pink ones are growing close to the hose, so they get more water, which they probably like, nevertheless IIRC the white one retained its foliage longer than the pink. Mine bloom in early-mid May and that could be 2 weeks earlier this year, so I would get yours in the ground ASAP. I have never planted bare-root, however, they have been very easy to divide and transplant and would guess that the roots would do best if they fan out? Lovely plants - these are the pink ones from last year - they bloomed well despite having been divided the fall before, into 4 different plants. I expect them to be much bigger this Spring because the pink ones get huge. I have a pic of the white one but not on this computer. I expect a bigger show on that one this Spring too.

I also have thick clay soil. When ever I have a bare root tree in the heat of the summer I plant them in a pot of good draining potting soil (I use Miracle-Gro potting mix) keep the soil very moist for several days to reduce shock (because they will go from water to soil) then you can ease off of watering when they start growing water feeding roots in a few to several days in the soil. and keep them in the pots until they start to show a little growth on the twigs. When you see a tiny bit of growth then plant them out in the ground. Don't leave them in a pot for long because they will become root bound which is not good for the tree. You can plant a potted tree any time of the year as long as the ground is not frozen. I think in a pot for a few weeks would be good then plant them, defiantly before fall comes so they can grow some roots in the ground before the winter cold and freezes. When you plant the trees out, dig or till a large wide hole 3 to 5 times as wide as the pot (but not deep, just deep enough for the root ball, this will help the roots to spread easily and establish) and plant the top of root ball about 1 inch above the ground so the root ball will not drown in the slow draining clay. Don't add soil amendments the tree will adjust fine from the root ball to the clay soil and also don't pound the soil around the root ball when filling the hole back in just lightly press the soil down with your hands around the tree while watering and adding the soil back. Then finally mulch the area with 2 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch to insulate the roots, retain moisture and to also give the soil nutrients. Keep the mulch off the trunk.

Good question. I have big groups of them, but I always transplant mine in the spring when I can see them, with the leaves of course sticking above the ground. I just went out and poked around gently where I know they are, and couldn't find any sign of them (I didn't go more than half an inch deep) but I know they have a root kind of like a carrot. I think I would spit the difference, and plant the crowns aboout an inch deep. You could try some at ground level and some deeper, see what happens. They are wildflowers, they may just pull themselves where they need to be.

I would soak it 24 hours or so and plant it as is. Depending on your climate, it could do well. If it is too hot already it will struggle. I would put a chair over it to shade the sprouts of new growth for a 2-4 week period until it gets going. You can trim off any edges later. Where are you State and zone?