Sink them into the ground pot and all. You get the insulating properties of being planted yet they are still easy to pick back up and relocate without too much digging or root damage.

I'd pot them up a size before sinking them into a nursery bed.

Yes, it is fine to leave them in pots, though upping them a size is a good idea. I have a different cultivar of Lonicera sempervirens that has just finished its second winter in a large pot ue to unforeseen family circumstances. I need to plant it in the next couple of weeks.

what is your native soil ... does it drain sharply ... if so.. you can HEAL THE POTS IN ...

i would put them in shade ... as pots in sun.. can make the roots very hot.. and roots dont like that ... that heat can also lead to watering issues...

if you are going to plant them in fall.. for sure... then why stress them now by repotting.. and then again when you plant them??

pull them out of the pot.. and look at what the roots look like.. if they are very bad.. winding.. the do root surgery and repot...

ken

ps: i should NOT have to look up what a major wheeler is... to answer your question.. and it would have helped a lot if you told us or gave us a pic of how big the pot was ... if you want good answers.. you have to provide good info

If it were me temporary planting would be the way to go. They transplant easily so get it in the ground for now aka ’heel’ it in, and then see what you want to do when things cool off in the fall.

Just know that in pots you’ll need to water nearly every day in the heat of summer.

I dug up one that had been in the ground for 2 years chopped it back and gave it to a friend. It is now growing over the top of her shed. I'm sure it will be fine no matter what you decide is easier, they seem pretty tough. I cut the one below back to the woody stems last year because it was getting so big and it is growing like crazy this year.