I would leave them in H2O and plant as soon as you can. Your heeling in idea in a pot would work great too.

Thanks, Sheila.

The sun finally came out around 5pm. today. Tomorrow we're suppose to have sun with a 20% chance of rain. I'm hoping the soil isn't too wet to be digging around in it.

Due to not planning ahead and the COVID, I haven't made it to a nursery yet. On hand I have some leftover potting soil from last year, some leaf mulch, peat moss, and an old bag of rose food (pellets). How about I mix all this together in the bottom of the planting hole, plus some of the removed dirt? (Just a little bit of the rose food)

Because of a too early delivery, rain, snow, rain, wind and more rain, mine have been in a bucket of water for 3 weeks. I would not advise this, but so far, they're looking great.

That's encouraging flowers. Thanks.

I put the bucket outside during the day and put it in the garage at night. I'm afraid of too curious coons. They get into everything around here! ha I'm going to go ahead and plant tomorrow, hopefully the ground isn't too wet.

I have to say it is a very healthy looking plant. The canes are big, not long, they've been trimmed back nicely, but they are thick. I'm not used to seeing that as I usually buy potted roses. And there are some pretty good sized buds and new canes coming on. Roots look good,too, no damage that I recognize.

That all mixed together sounds fine Schoolhouse for planting. Mixing in the native soil is good. Have fun tomorrow.

I planted her this morning. I think I did a decent job of it too. Did the mound or cone in the middle of the planting hole and sat and spread the roots down over it just like the guy on Youtube told me to. lol Watered it good. Unfortunately I thought it was suppose to rain later today and overnight tonight but now the forecast has changed, so I'll have to keep an eye on it so it doesn't dry out.

No blooms until next summer though. Hopefully I can get her through the winter. What do you think about using a protective cover of some sort over winter? I'm talking like the kind used for small hedges, looks like a tent. Or maybe a cone esp. for protecting roses. Are those still used now days? Is it even necessary?

I would normally mound dirt up around the rose.

Where are you? Most climates all that protection would do more harm than good.

I'm in Northeast Ohio. The rose is planted on the West side of the house, lots of cold wind in winter. My old fashioned shrub roses fair very well and have for many years in this spot without any special treatment.

I might not protect there. People closer to you will know more.

My climate is probably similar to yours with the exception of humidity. I don't protect my roses. The couple times I did, I regretted it. They survive better on their own.