They MIGHT be alright, but don't be shocked if you don't see any top growth this year. And when you do and they finally start to flower -the EARLIEST next year, if not the one after- don't be shocked to discover they are not as indicated, mislabeled bare root perennials are a common occurrence. I purchased bare root Peonies from Costco last year that did not show ANY top growth at all last year, but the crowns didn't die and they are finally showing top growth this spring, don't expect them to flower this year though, so I won't know until next year whether or not I got what I thought I was buying. I'd soak them like you suggested, plant them and check in 3 months to see whether the crowns have withered or are still firm. If they withered I'd take them back for a refund.... don't know about HD, but Costco has always been good in that regard, taking back bare root perennials that didn't grow.

I got some blackout lilies from Walmart on clearance in 2012. They did nothing or near nothing the first year. Last year (the second year), they were GORGEOUS. I was shocked and beyond happy. I will try to remember to add pics. They are back this year and have babies, too. :) I also bought starsister dahlias. They did so-so the first year. Some came back last year and did a little better. Three came back this year, and I think they will do very well. Considering dahlias are annuals in my area, I am happy. I bought a light blue lobelia last year also. Not only did it bloom very nicely, but it dropped more than enough seed for another round. I also bought what I call baby daffodils from WM last year. Four out of five came back, and they were much larger this year. I bought more this year. :) I have had other things from there not come back, but I think they were mainly clearance bulbs. The selection is not great and flowers are often not great, but I still check occasionally. There are certainly plenty that look sad.

Huh, I got a Dover Beach from WM and also a lt blue std, deep blue falls one whose name I forget, and a Beverly Sills - in different years. Before I cared about name labels. And because when I walked past the display in cold nasty March, could not resist! "Dover Beach" was planted last year so we'll see what happens this May. Beverly Sills I think was labeled correctly -- looks exactly like the photos on websites---and the forgotten-name one (the label I made faded & I forgot the name; this was before I was keeping this data in a binder *in addition to* labels in the yard) came up to make a huge clump & loads of large gorgeous flowers last year -- its second year--and in a part shaded spot at that. Whatever it is, it is beautiful, also smells divine, & I will keep it. I also have some UFOs in irises, daylilies etc that are from neighbors & relatives -- they are known as "Ann's yellow irises," "Grandma's hostas," etc, around here -- while it would be nice to know the name, and I am sure all these things have names, it matters more to me that my neighbors & I share the beauty & that I have some of my mother's, mother in law's, etc plants, to enjoy & also to pass along to my own kids. I have shared mine the same way with my sister in law & her daughters---I gave them the names but I have no doubt they lost those. But they enjoy them in their yards & that is what really matters to them. As to dried up roots-- if I do buy a packaged root/bulb, I always work around the sawdust or peat moss to see the plant & its condition---and feel for firmness, and look to see if it is sprouting (if the right time of year), no matter where I am.

Chances are good you'd get neither Karl Rosenfield nor Sarah Bernhardt despite the package labeling. On a whim at Walmart a few Marches ago I picked up a three roots per package each of what was supposed to be KR and SB - none of the six were correct. But the root stocks were healthy with good pink eyes; sprouted right away potted indoors and planted outside bloomed the first season - they turned out to be singles in varying colors; and all quite lovely. Haven't seen a peony yet I didn't like so I considered this my good fortune. This year they're already huge and loaded with buds despite the fact that winter just left here a month ago. Gambling with a few dollars might just be worth it to you, but I will concede that June does seem a bit late to be planting bare root stock peonies. But I'm no expert..