A friend told me different species of them behave differently, but my experience is not much luck. I bought one labeled just 'lavender' in a 3" pot last year, didn't plant it, didn't baby it over winter (sat on porch) and then this spring, to my surprise IT CAME BACK. Left it alone to establish, it came back in full force, finally planted it -- and now it's dead. Point being. It could take all the neglect and abuse it got from being forced to live it a 3" pot over winter and sitll survive, yet it could not handle being put into the ground a few weeks ago, BEFORE it got really hot (and I kept it watered). So that's my experience. Can't tell you the issue, but if Birds & Blooms has a search on their site, try that. Probably 2009. I remember an excellent article about growing lavender, how to properly plant, etc. Maybe it has some hints???? Good Luck !!!

and I'm itching to move them now, but planting is not the same as transplanting. ===>>> yes it is ... its all about root disturbance.. interfereing with water movement in the plant ... and dealing with all the attendant variables ... this answer you wish is highly zone and location specific ... and you should rely on those near you or with such experience .. like sara and embo ... and gal ... the other answers.. are correct for their locations ... and that sums up.. if you searched the web.. perhaps without knowing some experts location/zone.. you got all confused ... they arent wrong.. they just arent right.. for you ... my MI is so not your CA ... that i am not even going to hazard a guess for you .. ken ps: i think you meant that digging and cutting off roots.. is not like planting a potted plant .. but even that.. done right.. usually involves severe root pruning due to circling roots.. so after all is said and done.. they are about the same.. not different ...

Geez. I'm saying that in the PNW and Central Texas, both 8b, the FIRST FROST dates are within a couple of weeks of each other, and the LAST FROST dates are within a couple of weeks of each other. No one ever said that first and last frost dates were related. You didn't answer my question. But you're right. USDA zone IS representative of the coldest winter temp. I'm amused when people start blathering about USDA zones as deterministic for summer gardening. Summer gardening in the PNW is nothing like summer gardening in Central Texas. Been there, done that.

In your zone, I wouldn't hesitate about planting now. However the tiny clematis starts I purchased early this year and potted up are not yet ready or fully enough developed for me to plant out yet so will wait until spring for those. It will probably take me until spring to figure out where they are going anyway :-) I have no idea where there is room enough for them all and I probably should not have purchased them.......but they were just too cute and too cheap and I couldn't resist!