I am thrilled to report that Palatine has sent my Summer Song, along with Cubana, Rejoice and Apricot Vigourosa. All look extraordinary (lovely in themselves, I'm sure, but also particularly wonderful because I've been reading and remembering my Heirloom experiences!). What do you all think I should do with them? The ground is still relatively warm, with prolonged hard freezes at least several weeks (and maybe more) away. I could also pot them and keep them in the unheated garage over winter along with all my tropicals (so they'll get occasional water and attention). I'm inclined to plant them in the ground, but really, really, really don't want to lose Summer Song. Thanks,

Lisa

I'm not in your zone so my advice is to be taken with a grain of salt, but if you really don't want to take a chance it might be better to keep them potted until spring.

Lisa - I'm taking a chance this season and planting things NOW. MULCH MULCH MULCH MULCH MULCH. After you put them into the ground, pile high with mulch.. at least a foot deep!!! This has been such a lovely fall/winter with things being so mild (heck, today's it's gonna be 60!!) that I'm really lovin' it!!

I have no wintering advice for you, of course, but I'm really happy for you. Summer Song and the other three are all wonderful. You're going to love them. Isn't Palatine amazing? Their plants could restore everyone's faith in nurseries.

I grew roses for ten years in NJ, zone 6b. I did not take delivery of roses in fall, though.

Keeping the roses in the garage might be safer, especially since you will be tending other plants there; but my bet is that you would be safe putting them into the ground, provided that they don't get hit with a hard frost (for roses that's about 17F) for several weeks. If your weather forecast convinces you that it's not going to get that cold, I'd be inclined to plant them. If they survive, they'll probably have more established root systems in the spring.