I'd say when it stops raining. I hear we are getting rain now through Sat. But if they are hardy (zone 4 or lower in this case) shrubs, they will be fine to plant once it dries out enough to work outside.

If the shrubs came from a warmer climate, like I'm sure the hydrangeas have, I might opt to wait until the danger of frost passes. The frost probably won't kill it, but may batter the foliage. Anything hardy that hasn't leafed out would be safe to plant.

tj

You can plant them pretty much anytime you can work the soil without it becoming a soggy mess. As long as the Hydrangeas aren't leafed out you should be fine. If they are I'd put off planting them until at least May 1rst. Or you could harden them off by putting them into a cool place at night, like a garage and moving them out during the day...even on cool days. It would be a help.

Dave
Franklin

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll wait until after May 1st. No sense risking losing them (they are leafed out).
Astrid

Astrid,

Where did you see them for sale? If they were already outside in pots, they've already been hardened off and you can plant them now. My theory is, anything that's sitting out in the open weather in your locale, is safe to plant in your locale.

Julie

I think that you have to be careful planting when the ground is really wet. If you have clay soil like we do in SE WI you can turn the soil into concrete if you plant while to ground is so wet.

Our nursery lot at M*******'*, that place in Racine, is almost fully stocked for the season. The perennials and annuals should be out soon as well.

Dave
Franklin.

I saw shrubs for sale at Hy-vee in Dubuque, IA. Perhaps not the best place but I've purchased other plants (on sale) from them and they've done fine. Yes, they were outside.
Astrid