It depends on the size of the plugs, if they are small they will need to be potted up to start with and planted out next spring.

Ok. Will post a picture of them when they arrive to see if they look big enough to go straight outside or not.
Thank you ?

I bought some from Parkers 2 years ago and they were too small to go straight out. they did look dead but they did all grow away in pots the following spring.

That's exactly where I have ordered them from! Will have to hope they are ok when they arrive. Looks like I may have to pot them up first then. ?

Make sure you use a pot not much larger than the plug and pot on as needed in a mixture of compost and grit, keep moist once they start growing. In the ground they prefer semi shade and quite damp conditions.

Will do. Thank you. ?

they also disappear almost totally over winter [well at least mine do in the garden]. the plugs came to me in November and looked dead. I did take photos as evidence should they not survive.

Thanks. I may do the same if any of my plugs arrive in not so great condition. Was really hoping I might get away with planting them straight out, but looks to be not so. Better to be safe than sorry I suppose. Do you think I will have to wait until next spring to plant them out?

Well... I would wait until then

I think your right. Better to be safe than sorry ?

The primula vialii plants arrived, but they were all dead and badly squashed! Just my luck!
?

Complain to the company you bought them from and insist they give you a refund... if they won't and you paid by credit card put the transaction into dispute.

Thanks moon_grow. ?
I have emailed them and they have agreed to refund minus the delivery charge. So have excepted that. I don't think I will order plants on line again, think I will stick to buying them in person.

Depends on the company Maggie however, a reputable alpine nursery delivered plants to us we had not ordered; I contacted them and expected them to say something like 'keep and we'll send new plants out to the person who did order'. Nope they organised for the plants to be collected, which took 3 days, and then delivered them on... So in all it must have been well over a week before they were delivered! We've not ordered a plant online in years...

It will be b&q or homebase for me from now on! Lol ?