My thoughts on this was that watering could be controlled in a pot - roots would not dry out [I wonder if sometimes watering unestablished plants in the ground....they dont get water to all the root system, helping those feeder roots to grow] and I do, when the plants are leafed out, add a teensy bit of fish emulsion to my water and I have seen them take off. Last year......I got in a bareroot that I really, really wanted. I soaked it overnight, dug a perfect hole, filled it with perfect soil, doted on it constantly and watched it, mulched the bare canes.....and it never really started growing properly, tiny little leaves, it never took off and despite my best efforts, it croaked. A couple of others did the same......I just felt that for whatever reason - the potted ones did better, gained some root strength and were able to go in the ground and then continue growing with the root system they had produced. I plant my old garden roses directly in the ground - like Archduke Charles, Hermosa, Penelope, etc. - and they do fine. I just have not had great success doing it with hybrid teas, floribundas and even a few Austins. But Lady of Megginch was put directly in the ground and did great [by the way, never see her mentioned, but this was a really swell rose - bloomed alot, beautiful blooms, doesnt seem to put out those octopus canes - I really do like mine!]. But Leander didnt even break dormancy nor did Darcy Bussell [kudos to D. Austin, they are replacing them]. I grow out all my bands in 1 gallon pots - I have already had to move Pink A Boo and Mme. Charles up to a 4 gallon. I guess because of the success I have had with bareroots in pots......I tend toward that potting method. But sure do appreciate hearing from all ya'll about what works for you........And those of you who pot - do you have anything special you do for your potted roses? Judith

Sure, I definitely plant many of my hydrangeas in pots during the summer months, but then in late fall I dig them up & place them along the north foundation & give them a good cover of mulched leaves. I have many, many Endless Summers....which are zone 5 root hardy, but not necessarily bud hardy. The first year I had them I found that out the hard way, and then read that was pretty common. Winters in the Chicago area are sometimes fairly mild, but then the next year we can get a terrible winter. I also make sure their winter homes are dug so that the pots are slightly slanted downward so they don't get waterlogged...from rain or snow. They spend the winter near our north-facing foundation, and in the spring they are planted on the east side of the house...on both sides of a path...very, very pretty, if I do say so myself. (grin)

Madgallica, I've enjoyed reading your posts over the years, and heeding your advice. Which I DID ask for, I admit. But I am not sure about giving up on some of my baby rose plants because they might not survive in your Zone 5 climate. I just found an online article by a major rosarian in the RI Rose Society, which advises us (there is no mention of very new band-size plants, though) to almost cover the plant with horse manure, a foot deep, for overwintering safely. His garden is in Zone 6, inland RI. My roses are at the edge of Zone 7: the coldest winter temperatures here are above zero. My garden is 800 ft. from the ocean, facing east and south. The nearby presence of the ocean makes the winters less cold and the summers less hot. Is there anyone in this forum who has experience (good or bad) with northeast-coast roses? Maybe someone in New Haven or Mystic CT? I will also ask in the NE forum, and maybe even phone that RIRS rosarian. And also one on Cape Cod. Carol

Good Morning! Thank you everyone for the posts. I'm sure I just panicked when I saw how much dirt and fine roots I was losing. They were 7 gallon clay pots and from now on I'm planning on plastic pots for much easier removal! I had them in the pots for over 2 years so I had pretty good roots. It seems to me if you can plant bare root roses like the two I have so far and have them thrive I would hope these would be fine. I definately think the clay pots are out except I think I'm investing in a couple 15 gallon ones for somewhat perminant potted roses. My Lady Shallot LOVES its large pot and is the earliest with new growth the past two Springs. I read somewhere when I decided to purchase it that it was a good D. A. for a pot! I've got Spring fever!!!