I have not bought from them before but I would expect that, for any mail order company, their plants would be ready for planting a few weeks after your average date of last frost. If they look small 5-6" say, consider staking them and putting chicken wire around them for protection from bunnies, etc. I would also introduce them to bright shade first before putting them in the sun.

I typically prefer to grow tiny ones in pots myself until they are bigger but, that is to prevent issues with my dogs who will stomp on anything when trying to catch a squirrel! Hee hee hee! I have lost a bunch of plants that way!

Some people have complained from BP in Dave's Garden Watchdog. The typical problem seems to be plants that did not make it because they were small but they should be under warranty and they should replace them if you contact them.

Sue36 got some from BP in 2010 and mentioned that about half did not make it.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1981856/good-price-for-hydrangea-limelight?n=13

Bluestone has changed its growing pots and medium since 2010, and so I am not sure that the linked thread applies. My shrubs from them have done better since the changeover. I usually plant their shrubs in pots for the season and then plant them in the ground in the fall. Initially they are quite small, but generally well-rooted IME.

Their plants are in coir lined containers which are supposedly ready to be planted directly in the ground - about the size of a six inch pot or less. Most of the hydrangeas have grown great for me but some perennials not so great. Growing in a bigger pot for a year would probably be the best way to go, My last order 3 years ago was a bit disappointing - 8 winter hollies (all have grown but lost one of the males) planted directly in the ground. My Hydrangea 'Gatsby Moon' bit the dust - guess it was not as strong as the winter hollies. Hosta 'Humpback Whale' looked like a minnow which I did complain to them how pitifully small it was (I told them I would wait a year before asking for a replacement if it died). I put it in a big pot and it has come back two years now so probably ready for the ground.

All good to know. I was leaning towards potting them for the season anyway, just to give them the best chance, so I'll probably end up doing that unless they are an unexpectedly good size upon arrival.

hc mcdole, I was looking hard at the oakleaf variety, but I don't think their blooms are reliably winter hardy here. It's a shame since Gatsby Star would be lovely in my garden. Oh, well!